Saint Louis, Missouri
January 9, 2009
The American Soybean
Association (ASA) today expressed disappointment upon
receiving news that a few disgruntled checkoff and state leaders
have formed a new soybean federation in an attempt to distract
the U.S. soybean industry and undermine ASA’s efforts calling
for an audit and investigation of the national soybean checkoff.
The ASA calls the action by these individuals illogical
considering that USDA Secretary Schafer has already recommended
that the Inspector General conduct an audit and investigation of
the national soybean checkoff in response to the concerns and
allegations raised in ASA’s petition.
"At ASA, we believe the action proposed by a few farmers to
establish a soybean federation is a radical and ill-conceived
move," said ASA President Johnny Dodson, a soybean producer from
Halls, Tenn. "It is truly unfortunate that some checkoff and
state leaders feel so threatened by ASA’s efforts to have an
impartial investigation to find out the truth about national
soybean checkoff operations that they are willing to go to such
lengths. Soybean farmers are best served by a single national
policy organization that speaks to lawmakers with a unified
voice, and an accountable and transparent national soybean
checkoff that operates in a legal, ethical, and financially
responsible manner. The action being taken by a few individuals
in Minnesota and Missouri jeopardizes both."
ASA Chairman John Hoffman, a soybean producer from Waterloo,
Iowa, added, "Unfortunately, this move illustrates all too well
some of the problems that have been alleged about the national
checkoff, namely the lack of transparency, accountability and
the willingness to spend tremendous resources for
self-preservation – even when these actions aren’t in the best
interests of soybean farmers."
During the December ASA Board meeting, Board members
representing soybean producers in the state of Minnesota and
Missouri, along with all the other ASA Board members
representing producers in their states, had the opportunity to
review the allegations of improper activities involving the
national soybean checkoff and voted unanimously to take action
in the best interest of U.S. soybean farmers.
ASA First Vice President Rob Joslin, a soybean producer from
Sidney, Ohio, said "I have seen the evidence and I believe
ignoring these serious allegations of abuse or sweeping them
under the rug would have been wrong and would have done a
disservice to all soybean farmers who are paying into the
checkoff. Investigating any problem areas is the right thing to
do for U.S. soybean farmers so we will have a more responsive
and accountable soybean checkoff as a result."
The allegations of abuse are serious and include use of a knife
against another individual by an employee at an official
function; an improper sexual relationship disrupting the
management of the Japan foreign office and jeopardizing U.S. soy
exports to that market, and misuse of checkoff and federal funds
to facilitate the improper relationship; no-bid contracting
violations; a one-sided investigation and white-washing of these
actions; the firing of whistleblower employees; conflicts of
interest; potential evasions of salary and administrative caps
established in the national soybean checkoff act; and improper
and wasteful expenditure of checkoff funds.
"U.S. soybean farmers are best served by one strong national
association that represents all soybean farmers in all states,"
Dodson said. "The American Soybean Association has a tremendous
record of success of working with soybean producers from all
states and is continually watching out for the interests of
soybean farmers. From improving the soybean safety net in farm
bills, to passage and subsequent extensions of the biodiesel tax
incentive, to the opening of foreign markets for U.S. soybeans
and products through trade negotiations—the accomplishments of
the ASA literally have added billions of dollars to soybean
farmer incomes."
"Efforts by some checkoff and state leaders to cut off any
questioning or criticism of the national soybean checkoff are
indicative of the kind of resistance the ASA has faced over a
span of time as it has tried to address some fundamental and
critical issues," Hoffman said. "ASA believes in the need for a
national soybean checkoff program. The checkoff has accomplished
many important things for soybean farmers and should continue to
do so. However, it must operate with accountability,
transparency, and in a legal, ethical, and financially
responsible manner."
"At ASA, we believe threats, bullying tactics and attempts such
as this to divide our industry will be harmful to U.S. soybean
farmers and the industry as a whole," Joslin said. "We stand
strongly against the attempts of a few to set back the hard work
of many over the past 88 years to advocate and advance the best
interests of U.S. producers. ASA is proud of its record of
success and has every intention to continue working together
with its state affiliates in the best interest of all U.S.
soybean farmers."
The American Soybean
Association is the policy, domestic marketing, new uses,
research and international marketing advocate of the U.S.
soybean farmer. ASA is a membership organization representing
26,000 soybean producers. It's mission is to improve U.S.
soybean farmer profitability. |
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