Farm Bureau, Cattlemen Issue Last Minute Farm Bill Advice September 10, 2001

The American Farm Bureau Federation wants the House to approve the Farm Security Act of 2001 (H.R. 2646) quickly and without amendments. AFBF President Bob Stallman, in a letter to House members, said amendments that would shift funding among the measure's programs could stall final action on the bill. "It is vital that the legislation moves in the House as quickly as possible," Stallman said.

Resource conservation and compliance with environmental benefits needs in agriculture are uppermost in the minds of the nation's cattlemen as the House prepares to debate the farm bill. The farm bill must adequately address both issues, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) said.

Stallman said although the bill's $73.5 billion is "insufficient to provide farmers a viable safety net," Farm Bureau believes "the House Agriculture Committee has struck a delicate balance" among various spending needs.

The bill is scheduled for full House consideration on Thursday, a full year before the 1996 farm bill expires. It would provide a 10-year outline for farm price support payments and conservation, export promotion, nutrition, rural development and agricultural research programs. The 2001 farm bill complies with the budget Congress passed earlier this year, according to AFBF.

"The strong and well-funded conservation title in the (House) farm bill is essential for economic viability in the industry and must be maintained in its current form," said Jay Truitt, executive director, legislative affairs for NCBA. "Other conservation proposals fail to recognize -- or do not adequately address the needs of -- America's cattle producers."

"Livestock producers need economic resources -- and flexible programs- - in order to stay economically viable while complying with environmental regulations," said Truitt. "Preserving the land for future generations has always been a primary goal for the cattle industry."