Farm bill moves closer to passing Congress in May
Farm bill moves closer to passing Congress in May
WASHINGTON -- Farm bill negotiators said they are close to striking a deal on the $300 billion bill and satisfying White House requirements, but the details of a final bill have yet to be released.
Lawmakers have battled with the Bush administration on subsidy limits for wealthy farmers, and President Bush criticized Congress at an April 29 press conference for considering a "massive, bloated farm bill" that would "fail to eliminate subsidy payments to multi-millionaire farmers."
President Bush's critical remarks came just days after Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), a key player in farm bill negotiations, said that a tentative agreement had been reached on financing the farm bill through custom user fees to support the $10 billion in increased spending.
Sen. Harkin said that the farm bill would maintain strong farm bill security, create a permanent disaster-assistance policy and provide more fruits and vegetables to the nation's elementary schools.
It looks like a "positive package for industry," said Robert Guenther, senior vice president for public policy at the United Fresh Produce Association, commenting on news of a tentative agreement.
Mr. Guenther said that Bush administration officials and key negotiators have been working closely in recent days, but "there's still a lot of work ahead of us."
He said that he is looking at not only the specialty crop provisions of a 2007 farm bill, but also changes to conservation, nutrition programs, the disaster program and other components in determining the bill's boost for produce businesses. "We want to make sure we share the whole story" with members about the bill, he added.
"We certainly want to see this farm bill become a reality," said Kathy Means, the Produce Marketing Association's vice president of government relations. "It is a major step forward for our industry from production and trade programs to sales-building nutrition efforts," she said.
"The agreement framework looks to benefit all Americans, with record investments in conservation, specialty crops and nutrition programs all in the face of a significantly reduced budget," said National Farmers Union President Tom Buis.
He praised lawmakers for maintaining the country-of-origin labeling provisions and a permanent disaster program for farmers.
Congress has approved several one-week extensions as conferees work feverishly to resolve policy issues for the past-due 2007 farm bill. Congressional sources said that another extension will be needed to ensure time for the House and Senate to approve the conference report in early May and send the bill to the White House, which may take place before the Memorial Day recess.
Lawmakers have battled with the Bush administration on subsidy limits for wealthy farmers, and President Bush criticized Congress at an April 29 press conference for considering a "massive, bloated farm bill" that would "fail to eliminate subsidy payments to multi-millionaire farmers."
President Bush's critical remarks came just days after Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), a key player in farm bill negotiations, said that a tentative agreement had been reached on financing the farm bill through custom user fees to support the $10 billion in increased spending.
Sen. Harkin said that the farm bill would maintain strong farm bill security, create a permanent disaster-assistance policy and provide more fruits and vegetables to the nation's elementary schools.
It looks like a "positive package for industry," said Robert Guenther, senior vice president for public policy at the United Fresh Produce Association, commenting on news of a tentative agreement.
Mr. Guenther said that Bush administration officials and key negotiators have been working closely in recent days, but "there's still a lot of work ahead of us."
He said that he is looking at not only the specialty crop provisions of a 2007 farm bill, but also changes to conservation, nutrition programs, the disaster program and other components in determining the bill's boost for produce businesses. "We want to make sure we share the whole story" with members about the bill, he added.
"We certainly want to see this farm bill become a reality," said Kathy Means, the Produce Marketing Association's vice president of government relations. "It is a major step forward for our industry from production and trade programs to sales-building nutrition efforts," she said.
"The agreement framework looks to benefit all Americans, with record investments in conservation, specialty crops and nutrition programs all in the face of a significantly reduced budget," said National Farmers Union President Tom Buis.
He praised lawmakers for maintaining the country-of-origin labeling provisions and a permanent disaster program for farmers.
Congress has approved several one-week extensions as conferees work feverishly to resolve policy issues for the past-due 2007 farm bill. Congressional sources said that another extension will be needed to ensure time for the House and Senate to approve the conference report in early May and send the bill to the White House, which may take place before the Memorial Day recess.
