Farm Bureau Applauds Farm Bill Completion

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 26, 2002 – American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman today praised House and Senate farm bill conferees for reaching agreement on the new farm bill in time for the legislation to be implemented for the 2002 crop year.

"We are pleased that the farm bill negotiations are completed," Stallman said. "After the House and Senate approve the final bill and the President signs it, we will look to USDA to implement the bill in a timely manner.

"Farm Bureau members throughout the country have been active in the pursuit of this farm bill. We have been at the table, attended the field hearings and advised our representatives and senators through this two-year process," Stallman said. "Now it's time to make sure the policies we support are implemented with the farm family in mind."

During the past four years, Congress has had to provide emergency assistance due to low incomes in the agricultural sector. Such ad hoc relief, while providing needed assistance, is a poor substitute for a long-term policy on which farmers, lenders, and taxpayers can count. Farm Bureau believes this bill provides producers a viable safety net that will indeed thwart the need for future ad hoc assistance.

Stallman also praised the conferees for ensuring a balance between the diverse interests of American agriculture.

"While many people inside the Beltway thought this farm bill was dead on arrival, the hard work of House and Senate conferees carried it through," Stallman said. "We are grateful for their commitment to America's farm and ranch families."

Contacts:

Don Lipton (202) 484-3624 donl@fb.org

Mace Thornton 847-685-8755 mailto:macetl@fb.org

This page was last modified Tue Apr 30, 2002 at 02:24 pm