Senate Agriculture Committee Approves 2007 Farm Bill
News Date November 01, 2007
The Senate Agriculture Committee approved a 2007 farm bill on October 25 which provides about $283 billion in funding for agricultural programs over the next five years. The full Senate is scheduled to begin debate on the legislation on November 5 and numerous amendments are expected.
"The Senate farm bill includes several important provisions that maintain and improve the most successful components of the 2002 farm policy," said North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson and NASDA president. "In addition to a strengthened economic safety net, permanent disaster assistance, and interstate shipment of state-inspected meat and poultry are substantial improvements over existing farm legislation."
Johnson has long been a strong proponent of a permanent disaster title and recently represented NASDA in extensive successful negotiations to allow interstate shipment of state inspected meat and poultry. "The bill also contains several other important components," Johnson continued. "The expansion of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, strong renewable energy provisions, Country of Origin Labeling, and strengthened program payment limits contribute to well-balanced farm policy."
The Senate farm bill generally outlines Committee Chairman Tom Harkin's (D-Iowa) proposal that was carefully negotiated among the committee members. Lawmakers approved only a few amendments during markup of the bill. One of the most controversial amendments would prohibit packers from owning livestock. Some of the key provisions of the legislation include: (1) a new Producer Income Protection title and Average Crop Revenue (ACR) program; (2) permanent disaster assistance; (3) expansion and increased funding for conservation programs; (4) more funding for specialty crops; (5) investments in renewable energy; and (6) expands nutrition programs. The Senate's farm bill also includes a compromise to allow interstate sales of state-inspected meat and poultry.
List of amendments and other farm bill documents can be located on the Senate Agriculture Committee website at http://www.agriculture.senate.gov/. (Contacts: Charlie Ingram and Jennifer Yezak)