The American Soybean Association is asking soybean producers to lobby members of Congress to urge immediate action form the White House to implement a soy food assistance program. Millions of people worldwide will go hungry, claims ASA, unless the aid program is activated.

ASA developed an initiative along with the National Oilseed Processors Association to identify markets where various soy products could be used without displacing U.S. commercial sales. Details of the proposed food aid allocations are available on ASA's web site at http://www.amsoy.org/policy99/.

The proposal was presented to Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman March 16. It would use Commodity Credit Corporation funds for the program to help alleviate soybean price declines and producer incomes. ASA blames the White House and Office of Management and Budget for the delay.

ASA also claims humanitarian assistance groups are calling for OMB approval of the program. Executive Director Ellen Levinson, Coalition for Food Aid, said, "The way that the private voluntary organizations (PVOs) look at this initiative is a very positive way to marry the expertise of the ASA and its affiliates with the capabilities that PVOs have in a hundred-plus countries around the world that are food-deficit."

The aid package will provide a "unique opportunity" to assist the most needy countries with food aid; provide markets for soybeans and soy products; ensure political and economic stability for many recipient countries and support U.S. soybean farmers, according to ASA and NOPA.