Free Trade Agreements Pass Congress

Thank you to everyone who called their representatives and congressmen in support of the Free Trade Agreement.  Your efforts made this possible!

 "Trade is important to Illinois and American agriculture," said Philip Nelson, president, Illinois Farm Bureau. "Passage of the three FTAs is a step in the right direction, not only for agriculture, but for the entire economy. These agreements will create jobs and that's important in this tough economic climate."

In fact, Nelson said, the three FTAs have the potential of adding 9,000 American jobs with every billion dollars in exports. The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates the three agreements will directly boost U.S. agriculture exports by nearly $2.5 billion when fully executed and will add more than 22,500 American jobs.  

 "We applaud our elected officials on their vote to pass this important legislation," Nelson said. "Illinois agriculture plays an important role in the nation's agricultural exports and we know these agreements will continue to benefit Illinois farmers and industry."  

Taiwan Delegation Sign Letters of Intent to Purchase Illinois Grain

Members of an agricultural mission from Taiwan signed letters of intent Tuesday, September 27th to purchase Illinois corn and soybeans.  The letters were signed at 9:15 a.m. during a ceremony in the atrium of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield.  Illinois Agriculture Director Tom Jennings emceed the event, which also included representatives of the Illinois Corn Growers Association and Illinois Soybean Association.  

New Requirement for Farmers with a Commercial Drivers License (CDL)

All CDL drivers will have to appear in-person at a CDL testing facility to affirm whether they are required to have a medical card and whether they operate on an interstate or intrastate basis.  Generally, those interstate drivers who are required by law to have a medical card will have to have their medical card in-hand at the time of that visit. 

This requirement kicks in January 30, 2012, and must be completed by January 30, 2014.

Those drivers whose CDL expires within that two-year period can fulfill the requirement when they go in to have their CDL renewed.  Those whose CDL expires after January 30, 2014, will have to make a special trip to one of 47 CDL testing facilities prior to that deadline to complete the task.

The card is a wallet-sized document that has been signed by a qualified medical professional indicating that the driver has passed a DOT Physical and is generally physically qualified (under federal law) to drive a truck. That DOT Physical looks at a specified set conditions including such things as eyesight and hearing, range of motion in joints, loss of limbs, and the presence of potentially debilitating disorders such as diabetes or seizures. While most physicians are medically qualified to conduct the physical, not all offer the service. Special forms are available online.

The purpose of the law is to finally link the medical card to the CDL.  It will also make that medical record a part of the federal electronic database on CDL drivers known as "CDLIS" (Commercial Driver's License Information System.)  Until now, the only means of verifying a driver's compliance with the physical requirements of the federal law was the material presence of the medical card.  Under this new system, it might eventually be possible to eliminate the card and rely solely on the electronic record.

If you have additional questions and concerns on this matter, please contact the Sangamon County Farm Bureau at
217-753-5200.  Watch for more updates in the Sangamo Farmer and our website, www.sangamonfb.org.