Farm Groups Mass to Defend Commodity Spending

October 1, 2001

Nine agricultural groups signed a letter sent Friday to every member of the House of Representatives opposing a conservation-related amendment to House farm bill. The groups object to the expected amendment, because, they say, it would reallocate funding between the commodity and conservation titles of the House farm bill. The letter urges each member "to vote against this or any amendment that would substantially alter the funding allocations within the bill."

The farm groups that signed the letter cited H.R. 2646 for increasing conservation-related spending by 75% over baseline spending. Even though the coalition members might suggest alterations in the farm bill package, they nevertheless assert that the amendment will result in "diverting funds away from working lands and allocate more to retiring lands, and exacerbate the current funding imbalance within conservation funding towards retiring lands."

For the groups, major intent is preventing conservation programs from replacing income support programs. "Our members are facing both economic and environmental pressures on their farms and we support the development and funding of programs to meet each of these specific needs," the letter noted.

The letter seeks a "no" vote on this or any amendment that would reallocate funds between program titles as detailed in the House farm bill.