• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Fram Bill Extended One Week

PORKER

Well-known member
Livestock issues still obscured as conference set to resume



(4/29/2008)
Sally Schuff

The Senate-House farm bill conference will resume Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in the wake of last Friday night's agreement on some of the bill's thorniest funding issues. Details of the livestock and market competition title remain obscure because meetings on policy issues have been behind-closed doors for several days. Neither the National Cattlemen's Beef Association nor the National Farmers Union, which praised "a strong competition title," were able to confirm any specific details of the farm bill's livestock title.

Congressional aides say more details may be forthcoming on Tuesday when conferees meet to decide on the remaining controversies.

The key livestock issues include a difference between the House and Senate bills on country-of-origin labeling, a ban on packer ownership of livestock, interstate shipment of state inspected meat, and additional oversight of market competition.

The National Pork Producers Council issued a statement praising Senate and House leaders for the Friday night agreement. Somewhat mysteriously, NPPC's statement noted, "The agreement is a significant step toward completing a 2008 farm bill. NPPC recognizes that there are important policy issues yet to be resolved and stands ready to work 24/7 to constructively help craft a final bill that maintains the U.S. pork industry's domestic and international competitiveness."
 

PORKER

Well-known member
Farm Bill Debate Continues On Capitol Hill


Lawmakers continue to debate the Farm Bill, even after a tentative agreement was reached on Friday.

After what looked like a breakthrough on the farm bill over the weekend, negotiations have once again hit an impasse here in Washington. Key conferees have been in a closed door session Tuesday, to try to finalize a framework with even staff members waiting in the hallways.

Included in the discussion are Senate Ag Chairman Tom Harkin and Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley.

Ag Secretary Ed Schafer says the Administration is looking for three main pillars in the farm bill, to avoid a veto by the President.

First, spending on the farm bill cannot exceed $10 billion above baseline. Second, Congress must come up with an acceptable funding source, which cannot include any tax increases.

And finally the farm bill must contain significant reform, including a reduction in payment limits.

The tentative framework would preserve most of the farm safety net, with the exception of a 1% to 2% decrease in direct payments, but it would include a permanent disaster program and a pretty robust energy and conservation title.

The short term extension of the farm bill runs out this Friday, so the Ag Committee is working against the clock to get this legislation finalized or they'll have to ask for another extension.

South Dakota Senator John Thune told me the problem is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is trying to take money from the commodity title of the farm bill to increase spending for nutrition programs.
 

Denny

Well-known member
So basically what they are going to do is slash anything they can for the farmers and give the money to food stamps for all the welfare rats.I'd let them worthless sob's starve.I think government needs to get out of agriculture all together.Quit putting dollars into CRP acres so some hunter can collect a hefty payment on his recreational land.If you think you need land to play on why in the hell should tax payers pay you a rent payment.CRP is a joke try buying something that is enrolled, it's worthless land for the next 10 to 15 years.
 

Kato

Well-known member
Has anyone ever considered making the Farm Bill a Farm Bill, and putting all the other things into their own legislation? Several smaller bills that actually had their own identities would sure be a lot easier to handle, and would make a lot more sense. :? This law is just too big.
 

Latest posts

Top