When we complain, and I think rightfully so, that we think partisan politics gets in the way of good decision-making, we have this come back to us, saying that farmers need to speak with one voice.
But our experience is that when farmers have spoken with one voice.... In 2001 the biggest farm coalition that was ever built in this country was built around the opposition to Roundup Ready wheat and its introduction. We had CFA affiliates, National Farmers Union affiliates, and civil society organizations all working as one, and the impact on the government was essentially zero.
We didn't effect any regulatory change. We didn't get any kind of regulatory regime in place. What we got was a voluntary stepping back from the plate by Monsanto, the industry player.
So our experience says, on the issues where we should work together, we do, and we work together very well. But our experience is that it's not a magic bullet.