March 2009 Articles

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Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation—Presidents Column Congressional Reces

Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation—Presidents Column Congressional Recess Source: www.lfbf.org
As a kid on the school playground I always enjoyed recess.
The same can’t be said for members of Congress as they continue meeting face to face with their constituents during the congressional August recess. And for those members who have ag interests in their districts, as Desi would often say to Lucy, “You got some ‘splanin’ to do.”
Members of the state’s congressional delegation who’ve met with farmers here in Louisiana have explained their support calling for immediate passage of the new Farm Bill. What they’re having trouble with is explaining why the process is still in limbo. The House approved a version that excluded the food stamp portion of the bill, a contentious issue for some Democrats.
But there’s yet to be a conference committee appointed for both chambers to iron out their differences on a national farm law that could make history by getting yet another extension of the original bill that was passed back in 2008. Farm Bureau is working hard to bring the heat during the August congressional recess so members of Congress know they need to get things done when they return to Washington, according to Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation President Ronnie Anderson.
“The farm bill is at the very top of the list of things Congress needs to get done,” Anderson said. “We have to keep the heat on Congress to get a five-year farm bill done this year. It’s premature to even be talking about an extension” of the 2008 legislation. Most farmers and their lenders are frustrated beyond belief that after all this political wrangling we still don’t have a bill in place.”
Although some in Washington have expressed skepticism regarding the speed at which lawmakers will need to act in order to complete a farm bill, Anderson said his organization hasn’t missed an opportunity to broach the subject with members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation.
“There is plenty of time in this Congress to pass a five-year farm bill,” Anderson said. “We’re urging them to stay focused on getting it done.”
Calling a proposed one-year extension of the current farm bill “a cop-out,” Anderson urged farmers and ranchers to keep sending Congress the message that agriculture needs a new, five-year farm bill and nothing less.
The No. 1 reason a new farm bill is critical, according to Farm Bureau, is because another extension does not give farmers and ranchers the certainty they need to plant the crops they intend to grow and obtain financing ahead of time. Many farmers are already thinking about the 2014 wheat crop, which will be planted in mid-November.
In addition, policy reforms, such as a larger role for crop insurance as part of the farm safety net, more equity across crops grown and increased support for fruit and vegetable growers, that have been proposed in the new legislation are not possible if the current farm bill is extended.
The rice industry will be impacted the most here in Louisiana under the new farm bill. Producers will lose millions in crop program payments, something they and their lenders have come to rely on as competitiveness in global rice markets continues to heat up. Rice feeds one-third of the world everyday and the industry is vital to the Louisiana economy.
“Rice growers need to know what they will and won’t have from the new farm bill,” Anderson continued. “Further, a new farm bill would help Congress get the nation’s fiscal house in order by saving about $20 billion compared to the 2008 law.
“Everyone who eats needs a farm bill,” Anderson said. “We want all lawmakers to know it’s time to get off center and get a new farm bill passed.”