LaMalfa, Conaway: Voluntary Conservation Programs Work

Statement

Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry held a hearing to review USDA farm bill conservation programs. After the hearing, subcommittee Ranking Member Doug LaMalfa (CA-1) and committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) made the following remarks:

"This hearing provided an opportunity to highlight the farm bill's significant investments in conservation initiatives. Voluntary conservation has been shown to work better than mandatory and our farmers, ranchers and foresters, through assistance and incentives provided by farm bill conservation programs, have implemented new practices to reduce soil erosion, increase wetlands, improve water quantity and quality, and preserve farmland and wildlife habitat. I appreciated hearing from our witnesses today. We need to be diligent about overseeing the successful and timely implementation of the 2018 farm bill policies that protect our farmland and forests. I look forward to continuing to work with this committee to do that," said subcommittee Ranking Member LaMalfa.

"Out of touch Democrats continue to propose policies that would have significant implications for the ability of U.S. agriculture to continue to meet the demand for fresh, safe and affordable food, both in the U.S. and around the world. Congress chose a better solution by passing the 2018 Farm Bill, which is arguably the greenest farm bill ever. The farm bill provides voluntary, incentive-based programs that help farmers implement new practices that sequester carbon, reduce emissions and adopt more energy-efficient farming practices," said Ranking Member Conaway.

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