USSF President Disappointed in ASA's Attempt to Discredit New Organization

MANKATO, MN (01/10/2009)(readMedia)--

U.S. Soybean Federation President Lance Peterson expressed disappointment in a press release written by the American Soybean Association yesterday.

"We do not question the action taken by ASA in requesting an OIG audit of USB. It was the responsible action for ASA directors to take," says Peterson. "However, we take great exception to how ASA chose to discredit the national soybean checkoff program in a coordinated media campaign that was launched last month. It would have seemed more prudent for ASA leadership to go directly to USB or USDA with their audit petition rather than launch this negative effort."

Peterson went on to explain that it is vital for U.S. soybean farmers to have a dedicated policy and advocacy organization that can work in coordination and partnership with the United Soybean Board. "It's hard to imagine ASA will be able to move forward with USB and the soybean checkoff and that's something soybean farmers cannot afford to risk."

The U.S. Soybean Federation will exist solely to represent the voice of U.S. soybean farmers on Capitol Hill. The organization will serve as a coordinating entity of state soybean associations and federations. All state affiliates will be represented equally within USSF regardless of soybean production levels or state affiliate membership numbers.

"Yesterday's action is just another example of why ASA has lost their focus. They need to be concerned about serving the best interests of their membership instead of spreading falsehoods about the reasons why we formed the U.S. Soybean Federation," says Peterson. "USSF is solely focused on policy and advocacy and delivering results that will best serve the interests of all U.S. soybean farmers. Nothing more, nothing less."