The U.S. House Agriculture Committee on April 12 introduced the 2018 Farm Bill, also known as the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018.
“The farm bill keeps faith with our nation’s farmers and ranchers through the current agriculture recession by providing certainty and helping producers manage the enormous risks that are inherent in agriculture,” House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, said upon introducing the bill.
“The farm bill also remains faithful to the American taxpayer and consumer. Under the farm bill, consumers will continue to enjoy the safest, most abundant and most affordable food supply in the world, and taxpayers will reap the more than $112 billion in budget savings projected under the current law.”
According to an email from Agriculture Committee member Kristi Noem, R-South Dakota, provisions of the bill include:
- Making reforms to strengthen commodity programs
- Maintaining a strong crop insurance program
- Increasing CRP acreage, while capping rental rates
- Maintaining meaningful livestock disaster programs
- Establishment of real work requirements for (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) SNAP beneficiaries
“I’m excited to share our vision with the American people – and eager for people to see the details of a proposal that offers people real hope and promise,” Conaway added. “I’m also looking forward to quickly moving this farm bill through the House and working with the Senate to deliver a farm bill to the president’s desk that is on time.”
Farm Bureau reaction
Vincent “Zippy” Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, in a statement, hailed the introduction of the 2018 farm bill, and that the release of the bill is proof that congressional agriculture leaders recognize the economic challenges U.S. producers face.
“The House Agriculture Committee’s proposed 2018 farm bill shows the committee is aware of a farm economy teetering on a knife’s edge,” said Duvall. “The legislation released today will assist farmers and ranchers battered by commodity prices that often do not cover the costs of production. This is one step to bring certainty to our farmers when we face challenges from many different directions. There are still details to be worked out, and we stand ready to work closely with leadership and members of the committee to move forward. We urge Congress to complete a new farm bill soon that promotes food security, a strong farm economy and the thousands of jobs that are supported by America’s agricultural productivity.”
