Retail Federation Speaks Out Against Port Slowdown, Ag Groups Oppose Crop Insurance Cut

Just when everyone thought there was positive movement on the issue, the ports shut down over the weekend bringing the movement of goods and commodities to a standstill.

Saying enough is enough, the National Retail Federation’s VP for Supply Chain, Jonathan Gold also said the port slowdown was, “Jeopardizing American jobs and threatening the long term viability of businesses large and small."

The groups say the agriculture community is committed to the belief that balancing the Federal budget is important which is why the industry supported the passage of a farm bill that was estimated to reduce the deficit by $16.6 billion.

Due to the fact that crop insurance has contributed more than $1.2 billion per year to reduce government spending since the 2008 Farm Bill, the groups wrote they strongly oppose the President’s budget proposal to make crippling cuts to crop insurance.