“There is nothing more horrible than the murder of beautiful
theory by a brutal gang of facts.” –LaRochefoucauld
Below is a summary from a Summer 2002 publication issued by the House
Agricultural Committee titled “The Facts on U.S. Farm Policy.” The summary
dispels myths with facts about U.S. Farm Policy. Click here for a copy of
the full document.
Source: House Agriculture Committee
MYTH #1
U.S. farm policy bilks taxpayers and busts the
budget.
FACT: U.S. farm policy cost pennies per meal and
accounts for little more than one-half of 1% of the U.S. Budget. In fact,
the 2002 Farm Bill cost less than the 1996 Farm Bill with emergency
assistance.
MYTH #2
The 2002 Farm Bill depresses farm prices and
increases food prices.
FACT: American consumers enjoy the
safest, most abundant, and most affordable food supply in the world for
10.9% of income –less than consumers in any other country. In any case,
the 2002 Farm Bill cannot depress farm prices and increase food prices at
the same time.
MYTH #3
U.S. farm policy helps big corporate agribusiness,
not real farm families.
FACT: Big corporate agribusiness
actually opposes U.S. farm policy. U.S. farm policy does help all American
farm families because all farm families feel the sting of a world market
that is not free or fair.
MYTH #4
U.S. farm policy is nothing but corporate welfare
benefiting only those receiving direct help.
FACT: U.S. farm
policy is important to national security, ensuring a safe, abundant, and
affordable domestic food supply, and vital to a strong rural and urban
economy, with the food and fiber industry creating 25 million jobs,
producing $3.5 trillion in output, and accounting for 15% of U.S. Gross
Domestic Product.
MYTH #5
U.S. farm policy interferes with free markets and
free trade.
FACT: U.S. farm policy fully complies with U.S.
trade agreements. And with foreign tariffs on agricultural goods more than
5 times higher than U.S. tariffs, U.S. farm policy helps level the playing
field so our farmers can compete in a world market that is not free or
fair.
MYTH #6
The 2002 Farm Bill shortchanges conservation.
FACT: The 2002 Farm Bill provides over $39 billion for
conservation—the highest level of funding in history for programs that
prevent soil erosion, preserve and restore wetlands, clean the air and
water, and enhance wildlife.
MYTH #7
All special interests critical of U.S. farm policy
just want good public policy.
FACT: Many special interests
critical of U.S. farm policy cross the ideological divide but share a
common denominator: agendas that the vast majority of Americans reject.
