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Farm Bill Is Positive For Cattle Producers The House Agriculture Committee has passed a Farm Bill that includes many of the priorities and recommendations of America's cattle producers, according to NCBA. "The bill is a winner for cattle ranchers across the country," says Jay Truitt, NCBA executive director for legislative affairs. "It includes funding for conservation programs important to the cattle industry, increased funding for producer technical assistance from third parties and an increase of more than 100 percent for market access program assistance." The conservation section of the bill devotes $16.511 billion over 10 years to soil, water and wildlife programs -- a 75 percent increase in baseline spending. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized through 2011 at a $1.2 billion annual program level, and 2 million acres authorized in the Grassland Reserve Program to be enrolled in 10, 15 and 20 year contracts. "The House Agriculture Committee heard NCBA's message on support for commodities, too," says Truitt. "The proposed bill is market driven and recognizes the interdependent nature of American agriculture." The commodity programs title of Farm Bill 2002 is expected to continue in much the same way it was established in 1996, and is not expected to have unintended consequences of a negative nature to beef production. NCBA's request for $200 million for the reauthorization of the Market Access Program was met. The bill also contains a provision to facilitate the expansion of high-speed Internet access to rural areas. One of the few disappointing facets of the Farm Bill debate was that no consensus could be reached on Country of Origin labeling. "NCBA will continue to pursue labeling initiatives, to provide consumers with the information they seek and U.S. producers with the market recognition they deserve," said Truitt. For more information on legislative affairs, contact Jay Truitt at 202-347-0228 or jtruitt@beef.org. |
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