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Senate passes farm billThe Senate passed its version of the farm bill the afternoon of Dec. 14. Immediately following, Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Chuck Conner said he supported a safety net for farmers. "Yet, the farm bill just passed by the Senate fails to strengthen the safety net and increases taxes to generate $15 billion in revenue used to grow the size and scope of government. The bill further increases price supports and continues to send farm subsidies to people who are among the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. The Senate-passed farm bill does not represent fiscal stewardship and lacks farm program reform,² Conner said. He criticized the bill saying the legislation was fundamentally flawed. "Unless the House and Senate can come together and craft a measure that contains real reform, we are no closer to a good farm bill than we were before today¹s passage.² Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation was more complimentary. "Farmers and ranchers are encouraged with the knowledge they are one step closer to being able to make important spring planting decisions. "This legislation contains important provisions for all sectors of agriculture, including expanded marketing programs to encourage the consumption of fruits and vegetables, incentives for beginning farmers and ranchers and provisions to promote the production of home-grown renewable fuels. The bill also meets the needs of more of America¹s farmers by providing new funding for specialty crop research, conservation and pest and disease programs. John Thaemert, president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, said, "Wheat growers have been waiting for this day for a long time. I was extremely happy to see the Senate reject a number of unfriendly amendments and finally pass a farm bill Friday maintaining the direct payment and including supplemental assistance for producers facing disasters.² Thaemert said he was glad the delays to the farm bill were over, especially since their crop was already in the ground. "The delays have forced growers and bankers across the country to establish plans for the coming year without a clear idea of cash flow, and have impacted the ability of USDA cooperators like U.S. Wheat Associates to market our products overseas. Thaemert, as do other farm leaders, said he hopes that a new farm bill is passed as soon as possible. Click here to see the roll call vote.
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