As DeWine Boosts Profits of Agribusiness, Brown Works Hard To Expand Opportunity for OH Farmers

COLUMBUS - In a meeting with the Ohio Farmers' Union today, U.S. Representative Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called for economic and trade policies that expand opportunity for Ohio farmers.  Incumbent Republican Senator Mike DeWine, who holds a 44% lifetime rating from the OH Farmers Union, has accepted nearly $300,000 in contributions from agribusiness.

"Mike DeWine helped boost the profits of multinational agribusiness companies at the expense of Ohio farmers," said Brown.  "DeWine voted for every unfair trade agreement that George Bush put in front of him, and now we may actually import more agricultural goods than we export within the next year.  We must restore export opportunities for Ohio farmers and allow the Heartland to once again serve as the world's breadbasket."

DeWine accepted nearly $300,000 in contributions from agribusiness and supported its agenda.  In the past 4 years, the federal farm trade surplus has decreased by nearly 75 percent.  DeWine sits on an antitrust subcommittee responsible for maintaining competitiveness within the agricultural industry, which has held no hearings on agricultural mergers since 2003. 

 Brown said today that investing in renewable energy could provide Ohio farmers with a significant growth opportunity.  "A biofuel revolution can start in Ohio's fields, revitalize the state's economy, and help Ohio become the Silicon Valley of alternative energy.  Mike DeWine has allowed for a few big corporations to push many family farmers out of the market.  Alternative energy could help Ohio farmers regain their competitive ground."

DeWine voted for an energy bill that provided billions of dollars in subsidies to the oil and gas companies but provided few incentives to invest in alternative energy.  As part of his campaign for U.S. Senate, Brown is traveling the state highlighting new business opportunities in the energy market for farmers and entrepreneurs.  

08/17/2006 / Permalink / Agriculture, (all tags)