Etheridge Urges Passage of Farm Bill
Press Release
Etheridge Urges Passage of Farm Bill
U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge today urged his colleagues in Congress to vote for The Food, Conservation and Energy Act, a new five-year Farm Bill. The bill is scheduled for a vote this afternoon. Etheridge is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management of the House Agriculture Committee, which wrote a large portion of the bill.
"I urge my colleagues in Congress to vote for the Farm Bill so that we may continue to provide food and fiber for the nation," said Etheridge. "This bipartisan bill will invest in rural America, improve our energy independence, and provide a safe and affordable food supply for the American family."
The bill sets agricultural policy for the next five years. Etheridge was a member of the Conference Committee that negotiated the final compromise version of the legislation.
The bill keeps intact the basic farm safety net, while making needed reforms. It includes a new energy provision that will invest in production of and research into renewable energy sources. Also for the first time, the bill provides funds for specialty crops like fruits and vegetables, a growing agriculture sector in North Carolina.
Before the Agriculture Committee wrote the bill, Etheridge met with farmers from across the Second Congressional District in a series of listening sessions to hear what North Carolina farmers wanted to be included in the new Farm Bill. Etheridge also participated in a series of committee hearings with farmers across the country.
Highlights of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act
Ensuring Food Security
Nutrition programs increased by $10.361 billion with benefit increases indexed to the cost of living
Vital assistance to food banks increased by $1.25 billion
New funding boosts organic agriculture, fruit and vegetable programs, and local food networks
Country-of-origin labeling for meat and produce made mandatory
Promoting Homegrown Renewable Energy
Provides $1.1 billion to fund programs that will help the renewable energy industry invest in new technologies that use a variety of sources beyond feed grains.
Corn ethanol tax credit reduced and redirected to incentives for cellulosic ethanol
Creates a loan guarantee program and a program to encourage and develop production of dedicated energy crops
Bioenergy research increased and renewable energy programs expanded
Reforming Farm Programs
Farm program safety net extended and modernized, with an updated adjusted gross income means test for commodity programs
Farm and conservation program transparency increased, with direct attribution of payments and the ending of practices that result in multiple payment eligibility
Budgeted standing disaster assistance program for crops stricken by catastrophic natural disasters such as drought and flood
Protecting the Environment
Conservation spending increased by $7.9 billion
Doubles funding for the Farm Protection Program to protect agricultural lands from urban and suburban development pressure
Increases funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program to enhance and protect our natural resources
Continues funding for Grassland Reserve and Wetlands Reserve programs
Creates an Open Fields Program to encourage public access to private land for hunting and fishing as well as a Chesapeake Bay program to help restore and protect the Bay watershed
Strengthening International Food Aid
Provides $60 million to purchase food overseas to feed people in need, on top of the existing Food for Peace international aid program, along with an evaluation of this change and its effect on U.S. response times
Reauthorizes the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program for infant, child, and school nutrition programs in underdeveloped countries and provides an infusion of $84 million in additional funding
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