Audio: farm bill press conference

Here is the audio link to the farm bill conference press conference today. With the definitive news that President Bush will veto the bill, ag leaders will work hard to get an overwhelming vote in the Senate and the House next week.

From a statement by Speaker Pelosi:

"The bipartisan farm bill will ease the strain on rising food prices for American families, begin much-needed reforms to farm payments and make a substantial commitment to land conservation and to fruits and vegetables."

Goodlatte - On board

From the office of Rep. Bob Goodlatte:

WASHINGTON – At a press conference today, Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte voiced his support for the farm bill agreement worked out between the principal House and Senate farm bill negotiators late Wednesday afternoon. The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 conference agreement contains significant reforms and is the most reform-oriented farm bill produced by a conference committee in many years. While the policy decisions have been made, the conferees are awaiting budget scores from the Congressional Budget Office on several provisions before completing the final conference report.

Since January 2008, House and Senate conferees have been working to come to an agreement on the differences between the farm bills passed by each Chamber. Budgetary problems plagued the conference process for months and were recently resolved, allowing Members to address policy issues and discuss the merits of the farm bill.

“The agreement that we’ve constructed addresses nutrition, renewable energy, and conservation, among others, while maintaining a safety net that allows for the continued production of an abundant, safe and affordable food supply. We’ve made great strides in reforming farm programs to reduce benefits going to the wealthiest of farmers and non-farmers alike, require direct attribution of benefits, establish a revenue-based counter-cyclical program, strengthen beneficial interest, and strengthen the integrity of the crop insurance program in addition to several other significant reforms. For the first time in history, we’re putting a hard cap on the adjusted gross income (AGI) standard to prevent the wealthiest from receiving payments. That’s a significant step!” said Ranking Member Goodlatte.

Once the conference report is compiled and signed by a majority of the conferees, it will considered by both the House and Senate. House consideration of the conference report is expected next week.

“The programs that we have in place continue to provide Americans with safe, affordable food and fiber even as many places in the world are experiencing significant food shortages. This is because we’ve established a food production system that is consistent and produces enough to meet growing demand domestically and abroad. Now, more than ever, the benefits of this system, and the programs necessary to make it work, are evident,” said Ranking Member Goodlatte

The President will veto this bill

Start the vote counting in the House - The President will veto the farm bill. Just sliding across the inbox:

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE ED SCHAFER ON CONGRESS' ANNOUNCEMENT OF A NEW FARM BILL
WASHINGTON, May 8, 2008- In January 2007, the President put forward a farm bill proposal that represents fiscal responsibility, would improve the safety-net for farmers and move current programs toward market oriented policies. Our proposals were warranted and timely considering that 2008 net farm income is forecast to be $92 billion - 51 percent above its 10 year average.
"Today, the United States House and Senate announced the completion of a farm bill that unfortunately fails to include much needed reform and increases spending by nearly $20 billion. At a time of record farm income, Congress decided to further increase farm subsidy rates, qualify more people for taxpayer support, and move programs toward more government control. We should not remove farm commodities from market forces and make them dependent upon government support programs.

In addition, Congress decided to include a new permanent disaster program. This program represents a return to outdated farm policy and questions the government's investment in crop insurance which was designed to protect farmers against low commodity prices and crop failures. This action will discredit farm programs and jeopardize public support for future farm bills..

Americans appreciate our farmers and ranchers and understand the uncertainties and risks that farming presents. However, they do not understand why their taxes should be used to provide payments to individuals with adjusted gross incomes of $500,000 and higher, some of the wealthiest people in America.

We are also concerned about a lengthy list of extraneous provisions that are not related to farm programs and have no place in this legislation.
For a year and a half, the Administration has been consistently clear that Congress needs to move forward with a good farm bill that the President can sign. They have failed to do so. This legislation lacks meaningful farm program reform and expands the size and scope of government. I have visited face to face with our President and he was direct and plain. The President will veto this bill."

I'm a happy man

That's how Sen. Tom Harkin introduced the final farm bill conference report today, saying he is glad the long road to completion is over. Harkin said the bill is good both for the small town in Iowa and New York City.

Harkin confirmed that $1 billion has been designated for the fruit and vegetable snack program over the next 10 years, ultimately serving virtually all of the nation's neediest students.

A new title in the farm bill for specialty crops, and $1 billion for specialty crops over 10 years, Harkin says.

"This is a bill that should pass by large margins in both Houses. It is a bill that goes more than halfway (with White House concerns) and it is a bill I hope the President will sign."


TK: Here is a link to farm bill page of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

May 7 truck rate report

From the USDA's weekly truck rate report. As usual, look for updated chart information linked to this report on the blog. From the May 7 report:

A shortage of trucks was reported for the following commodities and regions: citrus, mixed vegetables and tomatoes from Central and South Florida, melons from Florida, greens from South Georgia, onions from Vidalia District, Georgia,sweet potatoes from Eastern North Carolina, and onions from the Lower RioGrande Valley, Texas. A barely adequate supply of trucks was reported for sweet potatoes from Mississippi. A surplus of trucks was reported for the following commodities and regions: potatoes from San Luis Valley Colorado and Minnesota-North Dakota (Red River Valley). A FIRST REPORT was issued for onions from Imperial Valley, California and cabbage from South Georgia indicating a truck shortage in both areas. A LAST REPORT was issued for Michigan apples and Western and Central, New York cabbage. All other districts reported an adequate supply of trucks.

All done but the shouting

From the office of Sen. Tom Harkin:


Congressional negotiators will announce a final farm bill conference agreement TOMORROW, May 8, 2008 at 1:30 PM EDT in 1300 Longworth House Office Building. The bipartisan, bicameral group will discuss the details of the final bill, which makes investments in conservation, energy, nutrition and rural development while continuing and strengthening farm income protection.

The event will also be webcast on the House and Senate Agriculture Committee Websites at: http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/audio.html or http://agriculture.senate.gov/.

WHO: Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman, Senate Agriculture Committee
Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN), Chairman, House Agriculture Committee
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Ranking Member, Senate Agriculture Committee
Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Ranking Member, House Agriculture Committee
Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), Chairman, Senate Budget Committee
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman, Senate Finance Committee
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee
Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), Member, House Agriculture and House Ways and Means Committees


WHAT: Agriculture leaders to announce farm bill conference report
WHEN: TOMORROW, May 8, 2008
1:30 PM
WHERE: Longworth House Office Building
Room 1300
Washington, D.C