DRAFT

First District Platform - 2006=

Iow= a Democratic Party=

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AGRICULTURE, ENERGY & ENVIRONM= ENT

AE-1 We support funding environmen= tal programs which protect and reestablish the ecosystem of the Mississippi Riv= er, a National Heritage River, pre-positioned spill response equipment, preservation of the nation’s wetlands, regulation of activities on public lands, and measures designed to protect farmland from urban sprawl. As temporary stewards of our natural resources, we demand that our governing bodies develop policies and laws permanently protecting our environment from wasteful and indiscriminate use, and hold polluters accountable. We believe that the quality of life in Iowa demands that our State protect and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities, natural resource assets, cultur= al and historic heritage, and the education and understanding of our citizens = to become stewards of our resources. We believe we must do what is necessary to have a healthy environment for ourselves as well as future generations,

AE-2 We support the proud traditio= n of the Iowa family farm, and want strict enforcement of anti-trust laws and banning packer ownership of livestock to prohibit corporate incursion into production agriculture; we support research funding, and promotion of sustainable farming practices such as crop/livestock diversification, soil conservation management, efficient use of energy and chemical inputs, and "grow local/buy local marketing. Realistic regulations and safeguards = need to be in place to monitor and enforce effective standards for manure manage= ment and air and water pollution, and the setting of Confined Animal Feeding Operations should be under local review.&n= bsp; We support beginning farmer programs. We support a hard cap on subsidies= ..

AE-3 We support consumer education= and product labeling so that consumers have the right to accept or reject irradiated, genetically altered, transgenic or hormonally enhanced food products, identifying the country of origin, and we support regulations and adequate funding for the USDA to ensure the public food supply is safe. We support humane treatment of ani= mals.

AE-4 We resolve that the United States adopt an energy policy based on conservation and the development of alterna= tive energy resources, with accelerated development of non-fossil fuel sources of energy and vehicles, and dramatic improvements in energy efficiency to comb= at climate change. Iowa should be the world's leader in renewable energy, leveraging our Universiti= es as a source of research and development, and support increased infrastructu= re for bio-fuel production and distribution.&= nbsp; We support increased funding for mass transit.