A special thanks to the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) for its leadership in persuading the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), to include the Agricultural Business Security Tax Credit in the Heartland, Habitat, Harvest, and Horticulture Act of 2007. ARA worked with Senator Pat Roberts(R-KS), a committee member, to sponsor this important amendment included in a final finance bill. Present law does not provide a credit for agricultural business security. This proposal will allow a retailer of agricultural products and chemicals or a manufacturer, formulator, or distributor of certain pesticides a business tax credit for 30 percent of costs for the protection of such chemicals or pesticides, including employee security training and background checks, installation of security equipment, and computer network safeguards. The proposal in the modification to the Chairman's mark sets a $2 million annual limit on such credit and a per facility limitation of $100,000 (reduced by credits received for the five prior taxable years). The cost is $14 million over ten years. ARA is working with a broad coalition, including the National Agricultural Aviation Association, CropLife America, Chemical Producers and Distributors, The Fertilizer Institute and regional and state associations (such as the Ohio AgriBusiness Association;) to secure passage by contacting key committee members from their respective states. For more information, please contact Richard Gupton, ARA vice president of public policy and counsel at richard@aradc.org or (202) 457-0825.