FEATURE – NEXT FARM BILL GARNERS INTEREST
INTRO: The next farm bill proved to be a popular topic at this year’s agricultural outlook forum. The USDA’s Bob Ellison has more. (1:35)
THE NEXT FARM BILL GOT SOME HIGH LEVEL ATTENTION AT THIS YEAR’S AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK FORUM SPONSORED BY THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. SPEAKING AT THE FORUM HELD JUST OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON D-C U-S SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW SAID THE NEXT FARM BILL MUST BE BASED ON RELEVANT PRINCIPLES.
Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-MI: We should start with principles that guide us as we evaluate what works and what doesn’t work in today’s economy to address the unique challenges facing farmers today.
STABENOW, WHO CHAIRS THE SENATE’S AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE, SAYS EVEN THOUGH THERE MAY BE LESS MONEY AVAILABLE FOR THE NEXT FARM BILL, FARMERS MUST BE PROTECTED FROM BOTH MARKET AND METEOROLOGICAL THREATS.
Stabenow: Growers and ranchers are always subject to market based risk and input risk. Input prices fluctuate, commodity prices fluctuate and American growers are caught in the middle. We need an effective safety net so that we aren’t watching family businesses go under because of a few days of bad weather or other factors beyond your control.
AND AGRICULTURE SECRETARY TOM VILSACK SAID WHILE THE CURRENT FARM ECONOMY IS GOOD, PRODUCERS STILL NEED A FARM BILL THAT PROVIDES STRONG SAFETY NETS.
Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary: The reality is as the chairwoman indicated, there are times and situations and circumstances which through no fault of the farmer or the rancher or the grower that they are faced with a disaster, they are faced with a declining market, they are faced with weather conditions that make it difficult for them to affect a yield. That’s why we need a safety net.
THE CURRENT FARM BILL EXPIRES IN TWENTY-TWELVE. IN WASHINGTON D-C FOR THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, I’M BOB ELLISON.
