U.S. Farm Bill to taxpayers: Ante up for farmers’ profits

After passing the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Farm Bill has moved to the House of Representatives, where legislators plan to begin drafting their version of the bill this month. On July 5th, House Agricultural Committee leaders revealed their proposal to committee members; one that aims to cut funds for environment protections and nutrition programs to help pay for expanded revenue guarantees and increase crop-insurance subsidies benefiting the largest farm operations. The House version also does not include any conservation accountability measures for farmers who receive taxpayer subsidies, a major threat to existing conservation lands nationwide.

The Environmental Working Groups Scott Faber and David DeGennaro sum it up this way:

In other words, the bill would give unlimited taxpayer dollars to farmers who are already enjoying record profits and less support to hungry kids who depend on federal assistance.

Ouch.

For recent coverage of the U.S. Farm Bills passage through Congress, and highlights on the relative merits of House and Senate Farm Bill proposals, visit:

• Environmental Working Groups analysis of the top six failures of the House Farm Bill proposal
• Star Tribunes analysis of the link between public subsidies and high land prices, Farmers' safety net is now a money bag by Jennifer Bjorhus
• Minnesota Public Radios House to consider major changes in farm/food policy by Brett Neely