As the home of the majority of Kentucky’s family farming operations, the First District provides numerous incentives for farmers to expand and diversify their businesses. Agriculture is the lifeblood of the First District’s rural economy. However, poor weather conditions have made it difficult for some farmers to stabilize farm income and show a profit from year to year. In response, I have been a tireless advocate in Congress for agriculture by ensuring agriculture commodities have adequate safety nets and access to the newest technologies.
Now, as Congress is considering the 2007 Farm Bill we must ensure that a level playing field is continued for the agriculture industry. To that end, I am pleased that in July the House passed with my support a new Farm bill that continues conservation, energy, rural development, nutrition, and commodity programs. Although I felt that some of the provisions in this bill were controversial, I am optimistic that as the legislative process continues, these issues will be addressed.
This legislation was endorsed by numerous agriculture groups, such as the Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Cattleman’s Association, and Kentucky Pork Producers. It gives Kentucky farmers what they need to keep producing affordable food for American consumers and people all over the world while bringing more money into the Kentucky economy. In addition, it keeps the planting decisions in the farmer’s hands and provides better financial certainty in times of disasters and poor market conditions.
The proposed $286 billion bill, which would go into effect this year, maintains the fixed payment and marketing loan systems that were part of the 2002 Farm Bill. It also reauthorizes the counter-cyclical program which helps farmers make up some losses incurred as a result of continued depressed market prices. The new legislation also makes fruits and vegetables eligible program crops for the first time.
The Farm Bill, passed by the House, reauthorizes the Conservation Reserve Program, the Wetlands Reserve Program, the Conservation Security Program, the Grassland Reserve Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Farmland Protection Program, and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program. The bill also prohibits the closure of any Farm Service Agency office within one year of enactment.
The legislation passed the House and now heads to the Senate for consideration. Once the Senate approves the measure it will go to the President for his signature.
Tobacco
In 2004, Congress helped expand and rejuvenate the farming community by passing the Tobacco Buyout, which provided farmers and quota owners with $2.3 billion in Kentucky alone. The Tobacco Buyout reformed an outdated program by helping farmers diversify tobacco operations and making U.S. leaf more competitive in foreign markets. This was an enormous achievement for all of Kentucky and the economic benefits will be felt for the next ten years. Tobacco is raised in almost every county in Kentucky and is critical to the Commonwealth’s economy. That being said, I am opposed to giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate tobacco because of my concerns that the FDA could impose harmful regulations on our farmers. In addition, I believe that additional taxes on tobacco only hurt the farmers and do little if anything to generate revenue for other programs.
Renewables
Farmers not only provide food and fiber to communities in the U.S. and abroad, but they have also recently been asked to help reduce America's reliance on oil. As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I have used my seat to advance ethanol and biodiesel operations in the First District. Although the renewable fuel industry is a relatively new industry, advancements in this sector will certainly be an asset to First District farmers and the U.S. In 2005, Congress enacted the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which authorizes new alternative fuel programs and extends biodiesel tax credits through 2008. I am pleased that the First District has already proven itself to be a leader in the development and use of these fuels. The Commonwealth Agri-Energy Ethanol plant in Hopkinsville is the largest producer of bioethanol in Kentucky. Each year millions of bushels of corn will be used to produce over 30 million gallons of ethanol with plans to expand to 50 million. In addition, this facility is locally owned by two groups of farmer investors: the Kentucky Corn Growers' Association and the Hopkinsville Elevator Cooperative. I will continue working to support this industry that benefits our farmers, consumers, and environment.
Food Safety
With the recent outbreak of salmonella in peanut butter, contaminated wheat gluten in pet food and last year’s E. coli scare in spinach, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing titled “Diminished Capacity: Can the FDA Assure the Safety and Security of the Nation’s Food Supply”. I expect to participate in other hearings on food safety, which will force the Food and Drug Administration to take a hard look at the safety procedures that are currently in place.
The safety and security of our food supply needs to be intensively reviewed. Through a responsible, bipartisan review we can determine the best and most effective ways to improve the safety and security of our food supply. Questions such as the importance of mandatory recalls on contaminated products, ways to improve reporting of food poisoning outbreaks, the reluctance of China to cooperate in assisting the FDA with its investigations and sufficient funding of the FDA were all raised during the hearing. In the case of funding for the FDA, I questioned why the FDA regulates 80% of the nation’s food supply while receiving only 20% of the funds to do so. The government has a responsibility to ensure the safety of all food produced, manufactured and sold in the United States. It is imperative that we provide the FDA with all necessary resources to verify that the public’s food supply is safe and free of all diseases. Please know that I will continue to work diligently to ensure that America continues to have the safest, most affordable food supply.
Awards
As a result of my efforts in Congress, I have been given several awards which include the Kentucky Farm Bureau Friend of the Farmer Award and a Certificate of Appreciation by the National Association of Wheat Growers. I am pleased to serve the agriculture interest as your federal representative.
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