COLUMBIA, Mo. – U.S. Senator Kit Bond today joined University of Missouri officials and community leaders to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri (FAPRI-MU). Established in 1984, FAPRI-MU is part of a joint institute between MU and Iowa State University. The Institute has provided comprehensive, long-term, farm, food, and energy policy analysis to Congress for more than 25 years.

 

            “In this day and age, much of what passes for debate – especially on television – is really just grandstanding,” Bond said. “Congress desperately needs unbiased, factual information about the likely impact of proposed legislation on farming and agriculture. Our decisions can literally have a multi-billion dollar impact on commodities, producers, industries and regions.”

 

            While providing analysis on agricultural and energy policy, FAPRI-MU also provides information to Congress on the likely effects of trade and water transportation policy. Bond noted that each of these policy areas has an impact on farmers, producers, markets, consumers and taxpayers. In his remarks, the Senator praised FAPRI’s unbiased approach to policy analysis, noting that he has relied on the Institute for much-needed information as the Senate considered four different farm bills and the Renewable Fuels Standard.

 

Bond, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, most recently called on FAPRI to analyze the impact that proposed cap and trade legislation will have on Missouri farmers. In its report, the Institute examined farm production costs associated with representative Missouri farms. The report showed that farmers will face higher costs for seed, fertilizer, chemicals, custom hire and rental, machinery fuel, drying and irrigation energy, machinery repairs and operating interests should the house-passed bill become law.

 

“Based on these numbers, members of the Senate are able to look at real world application of their legislative theory,” Bond said. “Having this forum to test the waters before we impose new laws will help us in our efforts to save our farm economy from having to pay for 25 years of bad legislative proposals.”

 

            In addition to providing policy analysis to Congress, FAPRI routinely provides agricultural, energy and transportation policy analysis to federal agencies including the Departments of Transportation and Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency. FAPRI’s analysis is frequently cited by international organizations such as the European Commission and has been used by the U.S. government in the last two rounds of World Trade Organization negotiations.

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