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Senate and House Ag Leaders Release Farm Bill Conference Report
Kansas Ag Connection - 12/11/2018

Agriculture Committee Chairmen Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Members Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., Monday released the text of the bipartisan, bicameral 2018 Farm Bill conference report.

"The 2018 Farm Bill is our opportunity to make the American food and agriculture systems work more efficiently. I'm pleased to say we have done just that in this conference report," said Roberts. "We started this journey nearly two years ago. Since then, the Senate Agriculture Committee has held dozens of hearings, listened to more than 90 witnesses, and received thousands of public comments. As promised, this farm bill provides much needed certainty and predictability for all producers -- of all crops -- across all regions across the country. I thank my counterparts in the Senate and House for coming to -- and staying at -- the table to reach a bipartisan, bicameral agreement for rural America."

"America's farmers and ranchers are weathering the fifth year of severe recession, so passing a farm bill this week that strengthens the farm safety net is vitally important," said Conaway. "I am grateful to the President, Secretary Perdue and my leadership for standing fast for the hard-working farm and ranch families that clothe and feed us. I also appreciate the members of the conference committee for bringing this process one step closer to completion."

"By working across the aisle, we overcame many differences to deliver a strong, bipartisan farm bill for our farmers, families, and rural communities," said Stabenow. "The 2018 Farm Bill is a good bill for our farmers and everyone who eats. Working together, we continued to expand the diversity of our agricultural economy, maintained a strong food and farm safety net, created new opportunities in our small towns and rural communities, and made significant investments in land and water conservation. Now is not the time to rest on our laurels -- it's time to get the bill across the finish line as soon as possible. I urge my colleagues to support this bill."

"This bill is a strong start to addressing the issues our producers are facing right now, particularly our dairy farmers," said Peterson. "The bill's new provisions will offer more flexible coverage for lower cost when dairy farmers need it most, and provide producers more tools to manage their risk. It also invests $300 million in the prevention and response for animal pests and disease. More broadly, the bill invests in research, outreach to beginning & underserved producers, local and organic food production, bioenergy, and access to new markets. It also addresses broadband, farm stress and mental health issues, and the opioid epidemic in rural areas. It's the product of strong bipartisan work in both the House and the Senate, and it's something I'm proud to encourage folks to vote for."

Go to docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20181210/CRPT-115hrpt1072.pdf to read the text of the report.

The Farm Bill Conference Committee held a public hearing on Sept. 5. Agriculture Committee leaders announced a deal on Nov. 29.

The conference report was signed by the Senate and House Farm Bill conferees and will be considered with a vote in both chambers.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue Monday issued the following statement regarding the release of the 2018 Farm Bill conference report:

"I welcome the introduction of the Farm Bill conference committee report, and hope the Congress can approve this legislation expeditiously. This legislation maintains a strong safety net for the farm economy, invests in critical agricultural research, and will promote agriculture exports through robust trade programs. While we would have liked to see more progress on work requirements for SNAP recipients and forest management reforms, the conference agreement does include several helpful provisions and we will continue to build upon these through our authorities. As farmers prepare to make decisions about next season, I commend the leadership of the conference committee in producing a bill that can be passed before the year's end. If Congress passes this legislation I will encourage the President to sign it."


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