U.S. House of Representatives Passes Historic Farm
Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives today
passed a new Farm Bill that makes historic investments in fruit and
vegetable production, conservation, nutrition and renewable energy
while maintaining a strong safety net for America's farmers and
ranchers.
"This Farm Bill is about much more than farms. It is about
the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and increasingly the fuel we will
use. It assures that we will have a safe, strong food supply now and
for years to come," Chairman Peterson said.
"I am proud of the
balanced and forward-looking Farm Bill that we have passed supporting
conservation, nutrition, rural, renewable energy, labor, and farm
country."
Important highlights of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) include: .
Investing more than $1.6 billion in priorities to strengthen and support the
fruit and vegetable industry in the United States. A new section for
Horticulture and Organic Agriculture includes nutrition, research, pest
management and trade promotion programs. . Implementing Mandatory Country of
Origin Labeling for fruit, vegetables and meat after years of delay. .
Expanding the USDA Snack Program, which helps schools provide healthy snacks
to students during after-school activities to all 50 states and continuing
the DOD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which provides a variety of fresh
produce to schools. . Strengthening and enhancing the food stamp program by
reforming benefit rules to improve coverage of food costs and expand access
to the program with additional funding support. . Including key
provisions that invest in rural communities nationwide, including economic
development programs and access to broadband telecommunication
services. . Providing farmers participating in commodity programs with a
choice between traditional price protection and new market-oriented
revenue coverage payments. . Strengthening payment limits to ensure that
people making more than $1 million a year (adjusted gross income) can't
collect conservation and farm program payments and closing loopholes that
allow people to avoid payment limits by receiving money through multiple
business units. . Extending and making significant new investments in
popular conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program,
Wetlands Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program,
Farm and Ranchland Protection Program, and many others. . Making important
new investments in renewable energy research, development and production in
rural America. . Rebalancing loan rates and target prices among commodities,
achieving greater regional equity. . Establishing a new National
Agriculture Research Program Office to coordinate the programs and activities
of USDA's research agencies to minimize duplication and maximize
coordination at all levels and creates a competitive grants program. .
Protecting and sustaining our nation's forest resources.
The House of
Representatives passed the 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) by a vote of 231-191.
The Senate must now consider the Farm Bill. The 2002 Farm Bill expires on
September 30, 2007.
NASCOE
Southeast Area Executive Committeeperson
National Association of FSA County Office
Employees