Posted January 27, 2014
This evening, negotiators from the U.S. House and
Senate announced a bipartisan agreement on a five-year farm bill and released
the conference report, according to a press release from the House Agriculture Committee
available here. The conference report is available here. Agri-Pulse reported on the story here.
The Washington
Times reports that the legislation may be up for a vote in the House on
Wednesday.
The five-year deal ends direct payments and cuts $8
billion from food stamps. According to a
preliminary 10-year Congressional Budget Office score, the bill will reduce the
deficit by about $23 billion.
The legislation also leaves in place the country of
origin labeling rule, which some in the meat and poultry industry have
criticized.
Leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees
commented on the deal in the press release:
“I am proud of our efforts to finish a farm bill conference
report with significant savings and reforms,” said Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK),
Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.
“We are putting in place sound policy that is good for farmers,
ranchers, consumers, and those who have hit difficult times. I appreciate the work of everyone who helped
in this process…I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting its passage.”
“Today’s bipartisan agreement puts us on the verge of
enacting a five-year Farm Bill that saves taxpayers billions, eliminates
unnecessary subsidies, creates a more effective farm safety-net and helps
farmers and businesses create jobs,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI),
Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
For more information on farm bills, please visit the National
Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
