Collins meets with local farmers to get Farm Bill feedback

On his first full week on the job, Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) met with approximately 40 local farmers this afternoon to talk about what they want to see as part of a new Farm Bill.  Congress is set to debate a new five-year Farm Bill over the coming months.  As a member of the Agriculture Committee, Collins has made it a top priority to work with his colleagues to pass a new Farm Bill as soon as possible.  The current Farm Bill legislation expired and Congress passed a short-term extension at the end of 2012.

“America’s farmers need their federal government to act and pass a comprehensive, long-term Farm Bill,” said Collins.  “Congress must come together to give our agricultural community the support and long-term stability it needs.”

Held in Batavia, today’s meeting participants included dairy and crop farmers from the various counties that make-up New York’s 27th Congressional District.  Dean Norton, President of the New York Farm Bureau, also participated.  Today’s informal meeting gave Collins an opportunity to hear directly from local farmers in advance of his first Agriculture Committee meeting in Washington.  In the near future, Collins’ office will establish a formal Agriculture Advisory Committee.

A new Farm Bill would establish farm commodity, conservation, trade and nutritional programs for the next five-year period. 

“Hardworking farmers cannot be left in limbo while Washington partisans remain deadlocked on the major issues of the day,” said Collins.  “A new Farm Bill is too important to agricultural interest not only in our own community, but all across this country.  We all rely on America’s farmers and now the federal government needs to do its job.”