United States Senate passes 2018 farm bill

The United States Senate by an 87-13 vote on December 11 approved the farm bill, known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.

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(Craig Toocheck | Freeimages.com)
(Craig Toocheck | Freeimages.com)

The United States Senate by an 87-13 vote on December 11 approved the farm bill, known as the  Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.

The U.S. Senate vote came just one day after the text of the farm bill was released by Senate and House agriculture committee leaders, following its completion in the conference committee.

The bill still needs the approval of the U.S. House of Representatives and then the signature of the president in order to become law.

“The 2018 farm bill is our opportunity to make the American food and agriculture systems work more efficiently. I’m pleased to say we have done just that in this conference report,” said Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kansas. “We started this journey nearly two years ago. Since then, the Senate Agriculture Committee has held dozens of hearings, listened to more than 90 witnesses, and received thousands of public comments. As promised, this farm bill provides much needed certainty and predictability for all producers – of all crops – across all regions across the country.”

No King amendment in bill

One thing the most recent farm bill does not include is the Protect Interstate Commerce Act (PICA).

The King amendment, named after its author, Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, calls for the end of laws such as California’s just-approved Proposition 12 on the basis that such laws allow one state to regulate agriculture production practices in other states, which King says is unconstitutional. Proposition 12 calls for the end of cages in egg production in California, as well as the sale of eggs produced elsewhere that use cages.

The King amendment, however, was supported by the National Association of Egg Farmers.

“This is disappointing news as the amendment upheld the U.S. Constitution Commerce Clause and would have benefited egg farmers selling eggs into California and other pending states. Rep. Steve King said he did everything possible to keep his amendment in the farm bill, and so did the National Association of Egg Farmers,” Ken Klippen, the association’s president, stated in an email. 

Other features of farm bill

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 brings attention to animal health concerns, as it invests $300 million in the prevention and response for animal pests and disease, according to Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minnesota.

The farm bill also includes reforms to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which have the blessing of the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA).

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