Agricultural and Food Policy
 Agri Outlook
Radio
Number 66
Policy/Noteworthy: CRS Releases Publication Titled “The House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) at a Glance” (7:11 minutes)
Audio/Video Script:
Dr. Bobby Coats
Extension Economist
University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture
The Congressional Research Service releases publication titled “The House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
at a Glance”. I’m Bobby Coats Extension Economist University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture.
The Congressional Research Service releases publication titled “The House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419)
at a Glance”. The Congressional Research Service report does an excellent job of describing the major
provisions in the House-passed 2007 farm bill (H.R. 2419, H.Rept. 110-256) and
compares them with current law.
The following is their summary by farm bill title of the major provisions of
the House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) and under current law:
“Title I, Commodity Programs: Current law covers income support to
growers of selected farm commodities, including wheat, feed grains, cotton,
rice, oilseeds, peanuts, sugar, and milk. Commodity support is largely through
direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, and marketing loans, along with
other support mechanisms including government purchases, marketing quotas, and
import barriers. H.R. 2419 makes changes to payment limits, modifies loan rates and target prices among commodities, and adds a revenue
counter-cyclical payment option, among other program changes.
“Title II, Conservation: Current law contains authority for programs that
encourage the environmental stewardship of farmlands and improved management
practices through land retirement and working lands programs, among other
programs geared to farmland conservation, preservation, and resource protection. H.R. 2419 reauthorizes,
expands, and/or modifies existing programs, and creates new programs and
initiatives.
“Title III, Agricultural Trade and Aid: Current law contains authority
for U.S. agricultural exports and international food assistance programs, and
various World Trade Organization obligations. H.R. 2419 reauthorizes funding for USDA’s international food aid
export market development, export credits, and export guarantees, as well as
addressing barriers to U.S. agriculture exports.
“Title IV, Nutrition: Current law governs the domestic food and nutrition
and commodity distribution programs, such as food stamps and other supplemental
food assistance. H.R. 2419 increases food stamp benefits and modifies food stamp
eligibility rules, limits state food stamp “privatization” initiatives, allows “geographic preference” when
buying food for schools, and adds money for fresh fruit and vegetable programs
for schools and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
“Title V, Agricultural Credit: Current law addresses federal direct and
guaranteed farm loan program issues, including loan eligibility rules and other
policies. H.R. 2419 expands borrowing opportunities under USDA’s Farm Service
Agency loan program. It does not allow expansion of Farm Credit System lending,
as originally allowed in the House-reported bill.
“Title VI, Rural Development: Current law contains authority for rural
business and community programs for planning, feasibility assessments, and
coordination activities with other local, state, and federal programs, including
expanding rural broadband access. H.R. 2419 reauthorizes, expands, and/or modifies existing programs, creates new
programs, and allows some provisions to expire.
“Title VII, Research: Current law covers agricultural research and
extension programs, including biosecurity and response, biotechnology, and
organic production. H.R. 2419 reorganizes the administration of USDA’s research,
extension, and economic agencies, requires the President to submit a unified
annual budget across agencies, and establishes a new national institution to
administer all competitive programs.
“Title VIII, Forestry: Current law contains authority for USDA Forest
Service programs, including forestry management, enhancement, and agroforestry
programs. H.R. 2419 changes existing forestry provisions and allows one program to expire.
“Title IX, Energy: Current law contains authority for bioenergy programs
and grants for procurement of biobased products to support development of
biorefineries and to assist eligible farmers, ranchers, and rural small
businesses in purchasing renewable energy systems and for bioenergy use. H.R.
2419 reauthorizes, expands, and/or modifies existing programs, and creates new
programs and initiatives.
“Title X, Horticulture and Organic Agriculture: The 2002 farm (P.L.
107-171) bill did not contain a separate horticulture title. H.R. 2419 provides
mandatory funding over five years for specialty crop block grants and additional
mandatory funding for pest and disease detection, purchases for nutrition
programs, direct producer-to-consumer marketing, and organic certification
cost-sharing.
“Title XI, Miscellaneous: This title covers other USDA programs and
assistance, which is modified by H.R. 2419, including the current crop insurance
program, animal welfare and inspections, and country-of-origin labeling
requirements, among other provisions.”
This has been Bobby Coats Extension Economist University of Arkansas Division
of Agriculture.
Source: Congressional Research Service
Publication - The House-Passed 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) at a Glance
http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/crs/RL34113.pdf
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