An Associated Press story reports that $30 billion or more in cuts to agriculture funding has been discussed in the course of the current debt reduction negotiations. According the AP article, which appeared in the Washington Post, current deficit reduction talks focus on three areas of agriculture funding cuts:
Direct payments;
Crop insurance; and
conservation programs.
According to the article, negotiators are considering $30 billion or more in cuts over the next 10 years. Originally, the proposed cuts focused on eliminating direct payments, but have evolved to include cuts to crop insurance and conservation program funding as well.
This is sure to remain a developing topic as it ties in with development of a new farm bill as well. With the August 2 deadline for expiration of the nation's debt ceiling looming, developments could occur quickly.
Posted 7/18/2011
