Senate Ag Moves on Farm Bill

Posted by Chad Vorthmann on Apr 26, 2012 in Ag/Food Industry, Crops, National Affairs | 0 comments

**UPDATE**

The Senate Ag Committee has approved its version of the Farm Bill and has sent it to the full Senate for action. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid is expected to take the measure up quickly. The House is waiting for the Senate version of the measure to pass before working on its own version of the measure.

AFBF President Bob Stallman is encouraged by the Senate’s work.

“The American Farm Bureau Federation is encouraged that the Senate Agriculture Committee approved its bipartisan farm bill and sent it forward to the full Senate for consideration. The bill is not perfect, but it is a suitable policy vehicle with solid framework on which to make further improvements. Certainly, having a bill in place this year is in the best interests of all farmers.

 “Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Roberts deserve praise for structuring this legislation with crucial risk management tools for farmers and doing so in a fiscally responsible manner during one of the toughest budget climates our nation has ever faced. The bill also provides a firm foundation for continued cooperative, incentive-based conservation efforts.”

The Senate Ag Committee has announced its plans to continue with its markup of the 2012 Farm Bill today. The markup was postponed yesterday after southern region farmers held up negotiations over rice and peanut provisions. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has convened the meeting today beginning at 10:30 a.m. EDT.