Proposed Ag Bill Would Cut $30B from Budget

WASHINGTONU.S. farmers are holding their breath as the House Appropriations Committee currently debate a draft of the fiscal year 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill that would mandate $30 billion to $35 billion in agriculture spending cuts over the next 10 years. Lawmakers are debating reductions in three main agriculture areasdirect payments, crop insurance and conservation money.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Rep. Frank Lucas (R.-Okla.) said the new farm bill isnt due until the end of 2012; however, it could be moved up if lawmakers can agree on a budget deal.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) led a coalition of organizations in sending a letter to President Obama and leadership in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives urging them to reach a timely resolution to the debt ceiling negotiations.

As organizations that have a stake in agriculture and a robust rural economy, we urge a timely resolution to the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations," the letter stated. A long-term, comprehensive solution that reduces federal deficits must be found to help ensure our nations fiscal integrity and economic strength. Such an agreement will also establish budget certainty for all federal policies, including upcoming farm bill negotiations."

NFU President Roger Johnson said that agriculture has already taken a $6 billion reduction in its budget and is willing to do its share, but that further cuts should be overseen by authorizing committees in the House and Senate.

The Senate and House Agriculture Committees must be allowed to determine how any further budget reductions are made," he said. These committees have the expertise to best evaluate specific programs and to include any changes in the 2012 Farm Bill in a manner that does not disrupt long-term commitments reflected in current farm legislation."