The push for a new five-year farm bill has reached another milestone, but Nebraska Farm Bureau says major issues still need to be resolved before Congress can send legislation to the president.
The Senate Agriculture Committee has released its discussion draft of the farm bill, following the House’s approval of its version. Jordan Dux, director of national affairs with the Nebraska Farm Bureau, says the Senate proposal includes several positive steps, including changes involving credit access, research, conservation programs and fertilizer market transparency.
But Dux says the bigger goal remains getting a comprehensive five-year bill passed.
“We need a full five-year bill done to lock in some things, to have us now that we don’t need to put us to where we don’t need a one-year authorization year after year after year.”
The Senate draft is only the beginning of the process. The Senate Agriculture Committee still needs to hold a markup before the legislation can move to the Senate floor. Dux says even if the Senate passes its version, differences between the House and Senate bills will have to be negotiated.
“A lot of a long way to go here yet, but every step is necessary in order to get this bill across the finish line.”
One of the biggest differences between the House and Senate versions is what is not included. Nebraska Farm Bureau continues pushing for a federal fix to California Proposition 12 and Massachusetts Question 3, which set state-level animal welfare standards for livestock products.
“From our standpoint, it just needs to get done. We need to find a fix for this.”
Dux says the organization is also pushing for year-round E15 and says another round of economic assistance may be needed for producers facing low commodity prices.
He says ultimately, the farm bill is about more than agriculture. It’s about creating stability for farmers, ranchers and consumers, he says.