The Aug. 15 issue of the Recorder reported Representative Neal made a tour of Franklin County farms. One might expect a Congressman running in a contested election to talk about his record supporting the interests of local agriculture. Neal may have listened, but his remarks were banal. He noted that the interests of large-scale industrial farms, and not those of small farms, influence federal agricultural policy.
This is hardly news to any local farmer, much less dairy farmers struggling to make ends meet, given that wholesale milk prices are set by the Federal Government. After 27 years in Congress and serving on the House Ways and Means Committee, it is stunning that our congressional representative did not offer any concrete ways he has or plans to support local agriculture.
In contrast, Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, who is running for Neal’s seat in the Democratic primary, issued her top priorities for food and agriculture which include: expanding the farm to school grant program, supporting education for the next generation of farmers, expanding farmers access to renewable energy systems and supporting policies that will save money for consumers and taxpayers.
Recently, Neal voted against an amendment to the 2018 farm bill, which would have reformed the federal sugar support program; it artificially raises the price of sugar. Clearly, sugar cane and sugar beets are not Massachusetts products so why support big sugar when it negatively impacts jobs and businesses like bakeries?
It seems Neal has received contributions from PACs, representing large sugar conglomerates in Florida and elsewhere. Importantly, Tahirah does not accept any money from PACs and has stated, “I am not beholden to any interests besides the interests of the people.” This difference between Tahirah and Neal is at the heart of our democracy and the interests of working families. Food for thought for Democrats voting in the Sept. 4 primary.
Dolores Root
Shelburne Falls