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Agricultural and Food Policy
 Agri Outlook
Radio
Number 97
Policy: Senate Harkin Ushers 2007 Farm Bill to Senate Floor and Congressional
Research Service Farm Bill Comparison Publication (5:12 minutes)
Audio/Video Script:
Dr. Bobby Coats
Extension Economist
University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Ag Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition and Forestry, on November 5, 2007 ushered to the Senate floor the 2007
farm bill. The farm bill is titled the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007.
The measure passed the Senate Ag Committee on October 25th. I'm Bobby Coats
Extension Economist University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Senator Tom Harkin the Chairman of the Senate Ag Committee made the following
key points in his opening speech on the next farm bill.
- The farm bill maintains a strong farm safety net, it will allow
farmers at their option, to choose a new form of counter-cyclical program
named Average Crop Revenue, and it will allow farmers better to manage their
farms' risk.
- The farm bill promotes specialty crops, which helps our nation's
specialty crop growers address the diverse array of challenges they face in
today's increasingly complex and competitive global marketplace.
- Since the farm bill touches the lives of million of Americans by
improving the nutrition for a healthier America. The farm bill strengthens
America's commitment to fighting hunger and promotes sound health and
nutrition.
- The farm bill ramps up renewable farm-based energy. The energy
title will help farmers and rural communities across the country to join a
major transition in which our agricultural sector supplies clean biofuels
and renewable energy for all of America. This gives farmers a chance
to add biomass crops to their farming operations.
- The farm bill promotes and supports good stewardship of land and
water. The Conservation title of the farm bill gives the tools needed for
voluntary efforts to conserve soil, to protect water and air quality, and to
increase wildlife habitat on their land – and maintain and improve our
nation's natural resources for future generations.
- Additionally, the farm bill will assist farmers in transitioning
into organic production, it will fight hunger and malnutrition across the
Globe, it promotes farmers markets and locally grown foods, it creates more
vibrant communities and a stronger rural economy, it advances agricultural
research, it assists beginning farmers, it preserves competition in the
livestock industry, and the farm bill strengthens food safety.
U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Ranking Republican Member of the Senate
Agriculture Committee, on the Senate floor urged his colleagues to support the
bipartisan Food and Energy Security Act of 2007. Senator Chambliss worked
closely with Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Budget Committee
Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) to craft policy that will strengthen American
agriculture.
Senator Chambliss said, "Our entire Committee worked in a bipartisan fashion
and to a large extent was able to accommodate the interests and priorities of
almost every member of the Agriculture Committee. It is my sincere hope that the
Senate will agree with our committee and support this farm bill that will
strengthen the nation's food security, protect the livelihood of our farmers and
ranchers, preserve our efforts to remain good stewards of the environment, and
enhance our nation's energy security efforts."
"A Senate Finance Committee bill resulted in $3 billion in savings to the farm
bill that helped increase spending on specialty crops, nutrition, conservation
and energy programs. The nutrition title received the largest funding
increase, totaling over $5 billion. Senator Chambliss noted that the increase
was no small accomplishment and additional resources were made available by
reductions in the commodity and crop insurance programs."
Senator Chambliss said. "I understand that several members have an interest in
offering amendments to further limit payments to the hard-working farmers and
ranchers in this country. However, I want the Senate to realize that the
committee-reported bill includes the most significant reforms to payment
limitations in the history of American farm policy. Any amendment that
attempts to make draconian reforms will be met with my strong opposition.
I urge my colleagues to compare this bill with current law and recognize the
dramatic changes."
To conclude, the Congressional Research Service have produced a
publication titled
"Comparison of the House and Senate Ag Committee 2007 Farm
Bills", which does an excellent job of comparing the Senate Ag Committee's farm
bill to the current farm bill and House's farm bill.
This has been Bobby Coats Extension Economist University of Arkansas Division
of Agriculture.
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Food Policy Radio
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