SECTION X TECHNOLOGY AND THE FAMILY FARM

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 Farmers and ranchers are open to the opportunities that technology can create in their operations. However, the benefits of new technologies must be weighed against costs and risks involved.

1. NEW AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

A. We urge continued research and funding of alternative agricultural technologies and sustainable systems that would benefit family farmers.

B. We support the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) for agricultural uses. But urge any data collected from UAVs remain private and secure unless chosen otherwise.

C. We believe that precision agriculture creates possibilities for producers to implement both cost-effective and conservation practices on their land.

D. We support “fair repair and right to repair” legislation that would allow farmers and independent mechanics access to diagnostic software, information and other tools in order to repair modern equipment.

E. We support the Grand Farm Initiative and its efforts to advance agriculture technology and encourage a continued partnership with land-grant universities.

2. BIOTECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Biotechnology genetically modified or enhanced organisms, gene therapy and transgenics are terms of increasing importance to producers. Biotechnology affects a broad range of issues including production, income, trade, farm business structure, environment and food safety.

A. We are opposed to biotechnology being used to accelerate structural changes in U.S. agriculture that leads to further vertical integration of agribusiness and results in an even smaller share of the revenue from production going to the producer.

B. We acknowledge concerns that biotechnology is being used as a trade barrier, however, we respect other nations’ sovereignty and food policies and urge open dialog, cooperation and understanding in trade negotiations relating to biotechnology.

C. We recognize that biotechnology presents both opportunities and risks for producers and consumers; therefore, we urge each application of biotechnology and its impact to be weighed individually, rather than accepting or rejecting biotechnology as a whole. In addition, we urge all individual applications to be evaluated as to its overall impact, including any economic, social, political, environmental, health and safety issues that may arise due to the new technology. Genetic material resulting from plant breeding and biotechnological research done in publicly funded institutions must be disclosed and remain in the public domain rather than private patents.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 D. We encourage breeding of biotech and hybrid seed varieties by our land grant universities to promote market competition.

E. We recognize that sound, publicly-supported scientific research is necessary to answer the many questions which exist, and emphasize that any research plots must be isolated to prevent any possibility of contamination to our breeder, foundation, registered, certified and organic seed stocks.

F. We support the state, Congress and the Secretary of Agriculture imposing a moratorium on the introduction, importation, certification and commercialization of genetically-engineered wheat, including all classes of wheat, until issues of cross-pollination, liability, commodity and seed stock segregation, and market acceptance are adequately addressed.

G. We support legislation to exempt farmers from paying royalties on patented farm animals and technology fees on seeds that have been genetically modified.

H. We oppose the further use of tax dollars in developing terminator technology, e.g., a gene to ensure that seed will not reproduce. We urge legislation to prohibit the development and selling of seed that is sterile. We support the right of farmers to plant seed derived from proprietary organisms on their own land.

I. Companies owning the patent on transgenic crops must be legally responsible for damages caused by genetic trespass rather than holding farmers solely responsible for damages.

J. We encourage Congress and our state legislature to regulate the biotech industry’s technology agreements. Farmers should not have to sign away their fundamental right to a jury of their peers in court in exchange for the privilege of growing biotech crops. Grievances should be settled in the home state of the farmer not the state of the biotech corporation.

K. We urge all seed dealers and grain elevators in North Dakota that handle flax to conduct tests to determine if they have Triffid contaminated stocks. We urge state and federal officials to explore effective methods to curtail the presence of GMO flax in both seed and harvested flax.

3. FARM DATA COLLECTION AND PRIVACY

We believe that data relating to our operations is important to protect and is key to our livelihoods and agricultural advancements. As a result, it is vital for producers to take a proactive stance on who is using their information, why they are using it, and how it is being used.

We support: A. The use of contractual agreements that are concise and easy for producers to understand.

B. Producers owning their own information.

1 2 3 4 5 B. Private data being used against the farmer’s wishes or knowledge.

C. The sharing of farm data with any business unless it is farmer approved.