BIDEN Statement on Farm Bill
May 15, 2008
"This Farm Bill is a responsible compromise that I can support; passage is essential to our farm economy. It is not perfect, but it is the product of lengthy negotiations. For Delaware and the rest of the nation, this bill contains funding and programs that are critical to the future of the family farmer, stewardship of our environment and meeting nutritional needs at a time when food prices are rising.
"I'm pleased that this bill will continue our support of farm-grown, alternative fuels, moving toward cellulosic ethanol. We must do all we can to reduce our dependence on imported oil. At the same time, we have a global food crisis; today's ethanol production, mostly from corn, must become tomorrow's ethanol from non-food sources. In addition, this bill contains unprecedented funding for specialty crops and works to provide a geographic balance to our national farm policy.
"But I am disappointed that in a time of record food prices and a global food crisis we were not able to include more significant reforms to farm subsidy payments. I had hoped we could have agreed upon a more equitable distribution of support. Nevertheless, because of the benefit to my farmers in Delaware, and because this bill will help farmers and consumers nationwide, I am voting in favor of its passage."
