"I am encouraged by the fact that FAPRI confirmed today that the Senate's five-year bill will provide stronger and more stable farm income for farm families, as well as be less likely to raise problems in the World Trade Organization with our trade commitments," Harkin said. "While pointing out the strength of the Senate bill compared to the House bill, the FAPRI analysis also shows that we can bridge our differences in conference and produce a critically-needed new bill for farm families and small town communities."

Under the Senate farm bill for the period of 2002-06, the FAPRI analysis predicts an average annual net farm income of $46.99 billion. Under the House bill, FAPRI predicts the annual average for the period would be $46.42 billion. In 2002, the House bill would improve farm income by less than $1 billion as compared to a continuation of existing legislation. In contrast, the Senate bill would boost 2002 farm income by more than $7 billion.

The comparisons take into account USDA commodity program and conservation payments expected under the two bills. Congress is expected to enact a farm bill covering a five year period.

The analysis also shows that under the Senate's farm bill there would be significantly less risk of exceeding the U.S. commitments for agricultural support under the WTO agreement, than under the House bill. For example, FAPRI's analysis shows that for 2006, the House bill would be more than twice as likely to violate the WTO as the Senate bill (20.6 percent probability for the House bill versus 9.7 percent for the Senate bill).

"As I have pointed out repeatedly, the Senate bill will substantially improve farm income, support conservation, and boost economic development and jobs in rural communities - and it will stay within our federal budget limits and comply with our WTO commitments," Harkin said. "I look forward to completing the House-Senate conference on the bill very soon so the new legislation can start working to help rural America."