Farm Bureau Urges Prompt Passage of House Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 7, 2001–The American Farm Bureau Federation today urged the House to approve the Farm Security Act of 2001 (H.R. 2646) quickly and without amendments. AFBF President Bob Stallman, in a letter to House members, said amendments that would shift funding among the measure's programs could stall final action on the bill.

"It is vital that the legislation moves in the House as quickly as possible," Stallman said.

Stallman said although the bill's $73.5 billion is "insufficient to provide farmers a viable safety net," Farm Bureau believes "the House Agriculture Committee has struck a delicate balance" among various spending needs.

The bill is scheduled for full House consideration on Sept. 13, a full year before the 1996 farm bill expires. It would provide a 10-year outline for farm price support payments and conservation, export promotion, nutrition, rural development and agricultural research programs. The 2001 farm bill is compliant with the budget Congress passed earlier this year.

Contacts:

Don Lipton 202/484-3624 donl@fb.org

Dave Lane 202/484-3610 mailto:amyb@fb.org

This page was last modified Fri Sep 07, 2001 at 02:43 pm