FARM BILL 2007 VOTE EXPECTED THIS WEEK

The Senate Agriculture Committee approved its version of the 2007 Farm Bill in October 2007. The Farm Bill is written every five years and determines US spending on farm programs. Although these programs do provide important funding for nutrition and food stamp programs, rural development, and conservation, subsidies that pay US farmers to overproduce or pay higher than market prices for commodities such as cotton, rice, and wheat make it difficult for poor farmers in Africa to compete in the global market. Reform of these programs is essential in order to address these barriers. A broad coalition of NGOs, businesses, and progressive agricultural groups are pushing for reform as the Senate considers the bill this week.

The legislation that will be debated has been criticized by global poverty and advocacy groups as not doing enough to reduce subsidy spending that hurts farmers in poor countries. Instead, these groups, including DATA, are supporting a bipartisan group of legislators who have drafted two amendments that propose to change agricultural subsidy programs for the better. The Farm, Ranch, Equity, Stewardship and Health (FRESH) Act would reform the US subsidy system that adversely impacts farmers in poor countries. The Grassley-Dargon Payment Limits Amendment will place a real limit on the amount of subsidies any one person or entity can receive. The amendment would cap commodity payments at $250,000 per household. This amendment will level the playing field for family farms and rural communities by producing budget savings that can be reinvested into programs that deliver enhanced social benefits such as nutrition, conservation and rural development.

To get involved and support the FRESH Act, visit the websites of the organizations below.

Fact Sheets on the FRESH Act (S. 2228)

Senator Lautenberg fact sheet on FRESH Act

Senator Lugar fact sheet on FRESH Act

A number of NGOs are taking action, for more detail on this week's Senate consideration of the Farm Bill and to get involved see the links below.

Bread for the World Farm Bill Page

Oxfam 2007 Farm Bill Campaign

For more information on the Farm Bill 2007 please click on the links below:

Farm Bill Debated in US House of Representatives - 07.24.07

ONE Campaign fact sheet on the U.S. Farm Bill

ONE Campaign Fact Sheet on Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment

Bread for the World

Oxfam Study Demonstrates the Impact of U.S. Cotton Subsidies on Farmers in West Africa