House Passes New Farm Bill
Weekly Column By Congressman Doc Hastings
May 3, 2002

The House has passed a new Farm Bill to set the nation's agricultural policy for the next six years, which replaces the 1996 Farm Bill that expires this September. The Senate is expected to soon follow, and with President Bush's signature it will become law.

The Farm Bill includes $94 million in short-term relief payments to assist apple growers working to meet the challenges, from unfair trade to low prices, facing the apple industry. This Apple Market Loss Assistance is for losses in the 2000 crop year. These funds are in addition to the $75 million in 2000 crop year assistance that Congress provided last year, and for which growers are currently submitting applications to their local Farm Service Agency offices.

Also of particular significance to Central Washington agriculture is a provision to more than double funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) from $90 million to $200 million. I have been the lead proponent of increasing funding for MAP in the House, and am pleased my legislation was included in the Farm Bill. The MAP program helps open new markets and create new export opportunities that are vital to our farmers and farm communities - especially for specialty crops grown in Central Washington.

The Farm Bill also includes counter-cyclical payments for program crop producers, such as wheat, corn, and barely growers to eliminate the need for emergency assistance when the market drops. Counter-cyclical payments provide more support when farm prices decline and less support when they improve. This will provide a safety net for our farmers, ensure stability, and guarantee the availability of a high-quality, safe food supply for the nation.

Additionally, the legislation includes a requirement that at least $200 million per year in commodity purchase funds be used to purchase fruits, vegetables and other specialty food crops for the nation's school lunch, senior nutrition and other food programs. A pilot program was also included through which fresh fruit and vegetables will be provided free in schools.

One final Farm Bill provision that will affect virtually every farmer, grower and rancher is a country-of-origin labeling requirement that will take force in two years and applies to fruit, vegetables, meat and fish.

If you have questions about these or other parts of the new Farm Bill, please feel free to contact me: Congressman Doc Hastings, 1323 Longworth Building, Washington, D.C. 20515.

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