Forests, farms focus of forum

RICHMOND – Appearing at a Virginia Farm Bureau Federation forum Friday, the state’s gubernatorial candidates outlined similar plans to support agriculture and forestry.

“We will not overburden Virginia’s farmers and foresters with regulations that impede your work, stifle your growth and disadvantage you in the global marketplace,” Robert F. McDonnell, R-Virginia Beach, said.

McDonnell and Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County, clashed again over the federal cap-and-trade bill, which would require companies to meet carbon emissions limits. Agricultural groups have said that would hurt farmers by driving up their utility costs.

Deeds declined to express outright opposition to cap-and-trade – a point McDonnell, a staunch opponent of the measure, has pounded – but said it concerns him. McDonnell calls the bill a “job-killer.”

“Despite what other folks say, both folks in this race have concerns about the federal cap-and-trade legislation,” Deeds said. “Let me be clear about this: I will not support federal or state legislation that puts additional burdens on Virginia farmers.”

The state federation, along with the American Farm Bureau Federation, opposes cap-and-trade saying it will be ineffective in reducing global warming while substantially increasing energy costs for farmers. The American Farm Bureau analysis of the legislation says the cost of energy to agriculture would increase by $5 billion annually and substantially increase grocery bills for residents. 

McDonnell reminded the audience Friday that it was he who won the organization’s support in 2005 when he narrowly defeated Deeds in the race for attorney general.

Deeds touted his first-hand experience on his Bath County farm as proof he understands agricultural concerns.

“You probably won’t have too many candidates stand before you for statewide office that have actually performed surgery on calves and pigs,” Deeds said. “So I know a little bit about caring for animals and about putting your life into taking care of things,” later elaborating that “you have to perform certain surgeries on male animals.”

McDonnell conceded as much with regard to Deeds’ farm experience, but no more.

“I know that Creigh grew up on a farm, he’s operated on a pig,” McDonnell said. “I cannot say that.”

Deeds, not mentioning McDonnell’s name throughout his time at the forum, said he has fought to increase land conservation by more than 500,000 acres.

“That will help us maintain our strong rural heritage for future generations,” Deeds said. “It’ll also help us ensure that agriculture and forestry – two industries that are critical to this Commonwealth – continue to be the number one economic engine to the Commonwealth.”

Deeds said his work in 1996 to help pass the Agricultural Stewardship Act helped to address non-point water pollution, which comes from human-made or natural sources, “in a common-sense way that didn’t involve burdensome regulations on farmers.” He added that his legislation to allow farmers to directly sell their products has contributed to the overall doubling of farmers’ markets since 2005.

He said his three agriculture and forestry-related priorities would be to curb the loss of rural land, which he said was happening at twice the rate of population growth, finding new markets for emerging technology to convert farm waste into energy sources, and opening up transportation corridors to increase access to markets.

McDonnell said he has stood with the state’s farmers and foresters, having fought for the elimination of the estate tax – Deeds supports its permanent repeal – while working to reform laws on eminent domain.

McDonnell pledged to be a “strong leader and champion” of agriculture and forestry while balancing environmental and agricultural concerns and supporting a comprehensive energy plan that includes offshore drilling. He called for a collaborative relationship between state leaders and agricultural and forestry interests.

“Virginia’s past, present and future is directly tied to farming and forestry,“ McDonnell said.

He said he would promote stronger farm preservation policies, and praised Gov. Timothy M. Kaine for preserving open space. McDonnell vowed to preserve an additional 400,000 acres of open space.