Urbandale, Iowa
January 8, 2009
The United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) informed the American Soybean Association
(ASA) Wednesday, Jan. 7, that Secretary Schafer has signed a
memorandum recommending that USDA’s Office of Inspector General
(OIG) conduct an audit and, as appropriate, investigation of the
National Soybean Checkoff Program based on the petition filed by
the ASA on Dec. 10, 2008. ASA’s petition calls for an
investigation of the United Soybean Board (USB) and the U.S.
Soybean Export Council (USSEC) to ensure that soybean checkoff
dollars are being managed and invested as prescribed by law.
“The Iowa Soybean
Association (ISA) is not taking a position on the
allegations, but given that the Secretary of Agriculture finds
there is enough evidence to recommend an audit and
investigation, we believe the investigation should take place,”
says ISA President John Heisdorffer. “If the allegations are
true, we should solve those issues and move on so the national
organizations can continue to serve U.S. soybean farmers as
effectively as possible.”
This investigation in no way impacts the Iowa Soybean
Association or its activities.
In other developments, three state soybean organizations in
Minnesota, Missouri and Mississippi have taken action to form
the U.S. Soy Federation, an organization that would represent
those states as a lobbying entity in Washington, DC.
The Iowa Soybean Association has not been involved in this
organization, was not aware of these plans and has not been
asked to participate.
“The last thing we need is another national soybean
organization,” says Heisdorffer. “We need to work together, not
further divide our efforts.
“We have been concerned about the deteriorating relationship
between ASA and USB for several years. Unfortunately, those
difficulties have gone very public. However, we still believe
it’s best to work together as an industry,” Heisdorffer adds.
ISA was instrumental in supporting an effort in 2007 and 2008 by
six state soybean organizations to develop recommendations to
improve coordination, communication and cooperation between the
two national organizations. The Soy Opportunities Task Force
(SOTF) recognized the stress in the relationship between ASSA
and USB, and proposed structural changes. At last year’s
Commodity Classic, SOTF was unable to get a majority of ASA
delegates to support a full exploration of structural issues.
The Iowa Soybean Association develops policies and programs
that help farmers expand profit opportunities while promoting
environmentally sensitive production using the soybean checkoff
and other resources. The Association is governed by an elected
volunteer board of 21 farmers. To learn more about ISA visit our
website at
www.iasoybeans.com. |
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