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FARM BUREAU TO STUDY ADMINISTRATION FARM BILL PROPOSAL
 | | AFBF President Bob Stallman |
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The administration's 2007 farm bill proposal contributes to the debate surrounding the structure and funding of the nation's next farm program, and the American Farm Bureau Federation said today it will analyze the proposal carefully as part of its effort to secure a new farm law that provides the best opportunities for its members."Farm Bureau members from across the country have repeatedly and strongly emphasized the need to keep the 2007 farm bill consistent and very similar to the concepts in the current bill," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "We are keeping an open mind about the administration's proposal and intend to give it full consideration." Stallman said Farm Bureau members voted to support the concepts of the 2002 farm bill due mainly to its track record of success. Exports are as high as they have ever been, government outlays are lower and farmers' debt-to-asset ratio is the lowest on record. Farm Bureau members have spoken clearly about their preference for commodity programs that use loans, fixed-decoupled payments and countercyclical support for American agriculture. The administration's proposal is broad and addresses those and a number of other priorities of the organization, such as conservation, renewable energy and beginning farmer programs, according to Stallman. He also recognized the administration's efforts to provide support to the nation's fruit and vegetable producers. "The administration's proposal will add to the debate as Congress begins its work," Stallman said. "Farm Bureau will work to address areas such as payment limits and means testing as other proposals come forward in the House and Senate."
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