House Panel Approves 2007 Farm Bill Proposals

News Date June 01, 2007

The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research approved proposals for the 2007 farm bill titles under their jurisdiction on May 22. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) announced May 17 that the panel's subcommittees would begin marking up sections of the farm bill legislation and the full committee plans to complete work before the Fourth of July congressional recess (see May 22 news story).
        
The Conservation Subcommittee considered discussion drafts on four titles: conservation, research, energy, and credit. About 30 amendments were offered to the conservation title alone, but most were withdrawn for further action until the full Agriculture Committee markups the bill in mid-June. Subcommittee Chairman Tim Holden (D-Pa.) and ranking member Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) noted from the start that they were challenged by a tight budget, and told members that any amendments offered which shifted program funds or required budget offsets would be delayed until the full committee markup. Copies of the discussion drafts for the four titles and the amendments approved by the subcommittee are available on the House Agriculture Committee website at http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/2007FarmBill.html.
        
The subcommittee's conservation title extends land reserve programs, simplifies and improves the Conservation Security Program, and substantially increases funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives (EQIP) and the Farmland Protection Programs. It also includes several provisions to encourage cooperation between USDA and producers or other entities to deliver conservation programs. During the markup session, Rep. Zach Space (D-Ohio) offered, then withdrew, an amendment which would transfer administrative duties from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Holden (D-Pa.) encouraged him to hold the amendment because the committee plans to consider a reorganization of USDA next year. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)