In an effort to convey the urgent need for Congress to extend the biodiesel tax incentive, American Soybean Association (ASA) farmer-leaders are participating in a biodiesel fly-in today to meet with members of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Participating from ASA are grower-leaders Joe Steiner of Ohio, Bob Henry of Kansas and Darryl Brinkmann of Illinois. These ASA leaders are joining with farmers from state soybean associations, biodiesel producers and others in the biodiesel industry to push for passage of legislation to extend the biodiesel tax incentive during the lame duck session.

“Extension and renewal of the biodiesel tax credit are critical to the economic viability of the industry,” Steiner said. “Expiration of the biodiesel tax incentive on Dec. 31, 2009, has resulted in lost production and jobs. This situation is likely to worsen if the credit is not reinstated.”

In 2009, the U.S. biodiesel industry produced 545 million gallons of biodiesel. Based on August and September production levels, 2010 production is expected to be approximately 345 million gallons, a decline of over 35 percent from the previous year.