Farmers call for congress to pass new farm bill
The lapse of the 2018 farm bill leaves America’s farmers in a precarious position, prompting urgent appeals to Congress for a new farm bill.
Despite an additional year granted to lawmakers, a five-year reauthorization remains elusive, exacerbating risks for a sector already dealing with economic pressures.
Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, criticized the delay, highlighting the disappearance of 141,000 farms in five years due to adversities such as inflation and rising supply costs. He lauded the efforts of the House Agriculture Committee Chair GT Thompson and others for progressing a bipartisan bill, yet noted the critical need for actual legislative achievements to meet farmers' real-time needs.
The farm bill's expiration halts enrollment in vital conservation initiatives and soon, dairy coverage adjustments will revert to antiquated policies, threatening dairy farmers' livelihoods and broader market equilibriums. These programs are crucial not just for individual farmers but for overall food security and environmental sustainability.
Farmers and ranchers now look to Congress to prioritize their livelihoods over politics and pass a modernized farm bill swiftly.
Until then, the Farm Bureau is advocating for immediate financial aid to bridge the gap, ensuring farmers can continue to sustain the nation’s food supply amidst legislative inaction.