News
from Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
HERSETH SANDLIN REPORTS ON STATUS OF 2007 FARM BILL Provides Update on Legislation in House Agriculture Committee June 28, 2007, Washington, D.C. - On a conference call with reporters this morning, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin spoke about her work on the 2007 Farm Bill, which is progressing through the House Agriculture Committee. To date, the legislation has passed through each of the House Agriculture Subcommittees, and will next be considered before the full Committee. Rep. Herseth Sandlin outlined the initial draft of sections, or titles, including the Commodity, Conservation, Energy, Rural Development and Livestock Titles. Regarding the Commodity Title, Rep. Herseth Sandlin said, “I expect the current Commodity Title of the bill to look similar to what we have today. In fact, the Subcommittee essentially voted to extend the 2002 Farm Bill’s Commodity Title through 2012. While I voted in favor of this extension, it wasn’t my first choice. I do anticipate further debate in the full Agriculture Committee next month on rebalancing target prices and loan rates, and further discussion on payment limitations. I support a realignment of the current loan rates and target prices provided in the 2002 bill for certain commodities, including wheat and soybeans.” Rep. Herseth Sandlin noted that proposals to virtually eliminate all of the farm price support programs in the title, and to offer one-time lump sum payments to farmers who agree to permanently terminate their participation in federal farm programs were soundly defeated. Rep. Herseth Sandlin opposed both proposals. Regarding the Conservation Title, Rep. Herseth Sandlin outlined her support for a number of important programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Security Program (CSP), the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), and “Sodsaver” proposals. However, Rep. Herseth Sandlin cautioned that the Conservation Title is likely to be among the most contentious of the entire debate, not because there is any disagreement about its importance, but because there are limited funds available. Other important titles include Energy and Rural Development. The Energy Title includes a Rep. Herseth Sandlin amendment to allow farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to apply for grants and loans to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. The Rural Development Title includes a portion of Rep. Herseth Sandlin’s legislation to improve access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas as well as a number of provisions she supported to help beginning farmers and ranchers get started in agriculture. The Livestock Title will also hold great importance to South Dakota, and it includes important provisions Rep. Herseth Sandlin supports to ensure that producers can effectively manage risk and access a fair marketplace. Rep. Herseth Sandlin said, “As the bill moves to full Committee, I am hopeful that debate will move forward on mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) and it will be focused on implementation rather than re-waging old battles.” Rep. Herseth Sandlin is a member of the House Agriculture Committee and two Agriculture Subcommittees: Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research; and General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. The 2007 Farm Bill is expected to be considered before the full Agriculture Committee and the full House of Representatives prior to the August recess.
Summary:
2007 Farm Bill in the House of Representatives Below is a summary of selected provisions included to date in the 2007 Farm Bill. These provisions reflect input from each Agriculture Subcommittee, but are subject to change as the bill receives further consideration in the full Agriculture Committee. Commodity Title
Conservation Title
Energy Title
Livestock Title
Nutrition Title
Rural Development Title
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