Lieberman Statement on Senate Passage of the Farm Bill

Press Release

Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) today joined his Senate colleagues in approving a five-year national farm bill. Despite having reservations about cuts to nutrition programs, he said he supported final passage of the bill because it provides needed financial relief to farmers across Connecticut, includes funding for environmental protection, and takes majors steps to rein in excessive payments to large agri-business.

"The Senate proved today that we can still pass significant bipartisan legislation that makes major reforms. The Farm Bill will cut $23 billion in spending, provide a stronger safety net for Connecticut dairy farmers, and expand and increase the flexibility of the conservation programs that are so important to the state. I joined with several colleagues to overturn proposed reductions to nutrition programs included in the bill, but unfortunately, our amendment was defeated. Despite deep reservations about these cuts to nutrition programs, I believe this bill will lead to substantial improvements in agricultural policy across the state and our country."

Senator Lieberman worked closely with colleagues to insert numerous provisions that address specific concerns:

* Working with colleagues from New Jersey and Rhode Island, Senator Lieberman modified the bill to guarantee that Connecticut's small cities, towns and villages will continue to take part in USDA's Rural Development program, which provides loans and grants for business development, water and wastewater improvements, and community facilities;

* He cosponsored an amendment offered by Senator John Kerry (D-MA) to extend eligibility for certain USDA emergency loans to commercial fishermen and shellfish producers;

* He cosponsored provisions that will ensure farmers receiving crop insurance subsidies continue to be good stewards of the earth and comply with conservation requirements currently in place for those receiving direct payments;

* He and the Agriculture Committee Chairwoman affirmed their common view that the Long Island Sound watershed is a perfect example of a potential project to be supported under the new Regional Conservation Partnership Program created in this bill;

* He inserted language that will provide equity for the District of Columbia under cooperative forestry programs funded by the McIntire-Stennis Act.

The Farm Bill includes a number of other provisions that will benefit Connecticut's farmers, fishermen, and families:

Protecting Dairy Farmers: The bill establishes two entirely new dairy programs, and repeals the existing MILC program. The Margin Protection Program and the Market Stabilization Program will protect dairy farmers' margins while also creating a market stabilization program to reduce uncertainty and protect Connecticut's dairy farmers from price fluctuations. Connecticut's dairy industry is an important part of the state's history and today generates over $1 billion dollars per year while employing more than 4,000 residents.

Supporting Specialty Crop Producers: Specialty crops are the largest sector in the state's agriculture industry and include fruits, vegetables, nuts, and nursery crops. This bill increases Specialty Crop Block Grants from $55 million annually to $70 million annually, includes $200 million over five years for a renewed Specialty Crop Research Initiative, and includes a study of whether a new type of insurance coverage could better protect specialty crop producers against losses due to contamination concern.

Conserving Natural Resources: All conservation easement programs will be streamlined under one program, the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, with two parts: Agricultural Land Easements and Wetlands Easements, with increased flexibility for the State Conservationist to decide which programs best suit Connecticut and where to divert funding. The bill also creates a Regional Conservation Partnership Program that increases support at USDA for water quality restoration and enhancement, nutrient management, sediment reduction and water quantity goals. These and other changes in the bill will not only preserve a larger number of farms in Connecticut, but will address water quality issues in Long Island Sound and Connecticut's many rivers and streams.

Encouraging Access to Healthy Food: The bill reauthorizes and expands the existing Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program, which provides competitive grants to improve and expand farmers markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs. Grants can also be used to target low-income populations to increase the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables that are all too often missing in our cities. The bill also supports the expansion of SNAP benefits to be used at local farmers markets, which in turn supports our local farms.

Helping Orchards Recover: The bill contains a provision that will extend Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance to orchards and fruit farms in Litchfield County and Fairfield County that were hit hard by late spring frosts this year. The late frost wiped out a significant portion of the crop on orchards and farms across b

Source