Harvesting Support: American Farm Bureau Federation Endorses Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Support for the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 continues to crop up, with the American Farm Bureau Federation becoming the latest agriculture organization to urge passage of the bill. The bill will lead to greener pastures for farmers and consumers alike by renewing vital insurance programs, eliminating burdensome regulations, increasing trade, protecting animal health, and boosting economic outlooks.
Click here or read below to see the full letter of support.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) would like to register our support for H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018. Introduction of this measure represents an important first step in the process of considering and eventually enacting into a law a vitally important piece of legislation not only for farmers and ranchers, but for all Americans. AFBF is prepared to work with you and all members of the Committee in achieving the best possible farm bill that meets our key farm policy objectives while assisting you in meeting the challenges this important legislation will face.
The basis of our support is grounded in our grassroots policy, developed by hardworking American farmers and ranchers, who have set the following overarching goals:
- Protect current farm bill spending.
- Maintain a unified farm bill that includes nutrition programs and farm programs together.
- Ensure that any changes to current farm legislation be amendments either to the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 or the Agricultural Act of 1949.
- Prioritize our top funding priorities – particularly risk management tools, which include both federal crop insurance and Title I commodity programs.
- Ensure programs are compliant with the World Trade Organization agreements.
AFBF is particularly pleased to see meaningful adjustments to the current farm bill’s provisions for the Margin Protection Program for dairy and the Agriculture Risk Coverage program for farmers, as well as new provisions for cotton farmers that are included in the commodity title. We also appreciate improvements proposed for federal crop insurance. There are additional provisions aimed at improving conservation programs, the specialty crops program and research and rural development programs that will also benefit our members across the nation.
The provisions in this bill underscore sensitivity to a farm economy teetering on a knife’s edge, and will assist farmers and ranchers battered by commodity prices that often do not cover the costs of production. This is one step to help bring greater certainty to farmers who currently face challenges from many different directions. We know there are still details to be worked out, and we stand ready to work closely with leadership and members of the committee to move forward. We urge Congress to complete a new farm bill soon that promotes food security, a strong farm economy and the thousands of jobs that are supported by America’s agricultural productivity.
We stand ready to work with you during the upcoming farm bill debate.
To read additional conservative support for the 2018 farm bill click here and to read support from other farming and ranching groups click here.