US Durum Growers Association Resolutions

1. USDGA supports the empowerment (financial and legal) of the Public Service Commission to ensure the accuracy and repeatability of all test weights and measurements concerning the purchasing and procurement of all grains. Whereas to ensure the fairness of discounts and pricing to the producer.

2. USDGA recognizes organic farming and its merits, as a viable choice for both consumers and producers; and the USDGA promotes the coexistence of commercial, traditional, and organic practices.
   
3. USDGA supports chemical harmonization to ensure food safety, food security, and to harmonize price and availability.

4. USDGA supports reasonable rates and consistent, timely service for all grain shippers of all sizes on all rail lines.

5. USDGA supports a milling durum insurance as an available option to its producers.

6. USDGA supports an increase in the current loan rate for durum wheat as well as the separation of wheat loans by class.

7. USDGA supports the full Section 3 registration of fungicides to be used as tools for producers to have for control of fusarium head blight.

8. Whereas the US Durum Growers produce the safest, most economical and environmentally friendly durum products which the consumer demands, therefore be it resolved the USDGA supports country of origin labeling for all durum wheat products.

9. Whereas the northern tier of wheat producers are not currently receiving a fair LDP the USDGA supports a 60 day pre harvest lock in period and a more accurate posted county price on durum.

10. The USDGA discourages the use of delayed pricing contracts of durum wheat.

11. USDGA supports the education of the consumer of a balanced healthy diet that includes pasta.

12. USDGA urges USDA to use the same disaster and quality loss program tables as in the past programs.

13. USDGA supports competitive forward contracts to growers of durum.

14.  USDGA supports the funding of the Durum Wheat Quality Program. 

15. USDGA continues to support the law that only active wheat farmers are eligible to serve as Commissioners of the North Dakota Wheat Commission in accordance of state law.

16. USDGA urges the durum industry to establish and pay premiums for protein above 13 percent.

17. USDGA supports equitable funding for durum and wheat research in relation to other commodities.

18. Due to contamination problems USDGA urges the enforcement of seed purity at the foundation production level.

19. USDGA supports the continuation of research, development and release of new varieties for public seed stocks program.

20. USDGA supports a permanent disaster program.

21. USDGA supports reciprocity of fuel tax between bordering states for farmers hauling their own agricultural production.

22.  USDGA supports trigger and yield adjustments to the ACRE program.

US Durum Growers Association

Biotechnology Position Statement

Biotechnological research holds great promise for the future, and the U.S. wheat industry recognizes these advancements.  In preparation for the future commercialization of biotechnologically derived wheat, we take the following positions:

1.       The U.S. wheat industry commits itself to the principle that our customers' needs and preferences are important considerations.  We support the ability of our wheat customers to make purchases on the basis of specific traits, both input and output traits. 

2.       We will work with all segments of the industry to develop and assure that a viable identity preservation system and testing program is instituted prior to commercialization of products of biotechnology.  We strongly urge technology providers to obtain international regulatory approval and to ensure customer acceptance prior to commercialization.

3.       We urge the adoption of a nationally and internationally accepted definition of biotechnologically derived products.  We also urge international harmonization of scientific standards and trade rules.

4.       We invite valued and interested customers to join with us in a working partnership to explore the emerging biotechnology industry.

U.S. Wheat Industry Definition: Biotechnologically Derived

(Genetically Modified Organisms)*

"Genetically modified organisms (commonly referred to as "transgenic") are organisms derived from somatic cell fusion or direct insertion of a gene construct, typically but not necessarily from a sexually-incompatible species, using recombinant DNA techniques and any genetic transformation technology (e.g., bacterial vectors, particle bombardment, electroporation).