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Farm Bureau sends Ag Committees list of Farm Bill priorities

American Farm Bureau (AFBF) recently sent a list of Farm Bill priorities to leaders of the House and Senate Ag Committees.

AFBF director of public policy Dale Moore says the recommendations reflect what’s important to the Federation, but allow for flexibility in working with Congress to achieve a successful bill.

“Protecting Farm Bill spending, making sure we keep the nutrition programs and farm programs together.  Make sure that the changes to the current Act kind of fit in the context of making sure making sure we keep the risk management tools (and) safety net secure for farmers and ranchers.”

He tells Brownfield Farm Bureau would like to see issues related to the ARC-County commodity title program addressed, like payment disparity between counties.

Moore says the Dairy Margin Protection Program needs fixing, and cotton should be eligible for commodity program support in the next Farm Bill.

“And then there’s just the over-arching process.  Making sure we protect the funding for the programs.  We know we’re going to be in for a tough battle, but we’re ready to get started on writing this new Farm Bill.”

 

The Farm Bureau list emerged from its Board of Directors, who call the proposals grass-roots policy options.