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USDA Mediation Offer Accepted with Conditions
Published Wednesday, September 09, 2009 at 04:50 AM
The United Soybean Board’s Executive Committee has recommended acceptance of the offer of USDA to provide “mediation" between USB and the American Soybean Association. USB oversees the soybean checkoff and the ASA is the lobbying arm of national soybean producers. Acceptance of the USDA offer is now up to the full USB Board. First, checkoff-farmer leaders need to fully understand all the issues and parameters. The Committee recommendation stipulates that discussion will follow – very specific parameters for discussion.

Members of the USB Executive Committee requested a face-to-face meeting with USDA officials. They believe this will allow USB to gain a better understanding of the exact parameters for discussion, issues to be discussed and the process USDA plans to carry out during these discussions. USB Chairman Chuck Myers, a soybean farmer from Lyons, Nebraska, said - we remain very uncomfortable with positioning this process in such adversarial terms as ‘mediation.'

In December 2008, ASA requested an Office of Inspector General investigation and financial audit of the National Soybean Checkoff Program, particularly the USB and the U.S. Soybean Export Council to ensure that soybean checkoff dollars were being managed and invested as prescribed by law.

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