07 farm bill

2007 Farm Bill

The Catholic Church supports a Farm Bill that reflects the best of our national values – a commitment to feed the hungry, effective support for those who till the land, fairness and equity for farmers and ranchers, and stewardship of the land. We especially support efforts to target agriculture resources to those who need help the most rather than those who need it least.

We urge our elected officials to provide carefully developed and effective reforms to U.S. food and farm policy to create a more just and equitable Farm Bill for U.S. farmers and ranchers. Such policy should include a safety net for families who till the land and resources to feed the 35 million people who struggle with hunger each day. We also urge officials to support policies that promote thriving rural communities, encourage good stewardship of the land, and do not unfairly harm farmers in developing countries, most of whom are women who depend on agriculture to support their families.

The 2007 Farm Bill was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives (HR 2419) this summer. The Senate expects to begin voting on its version of the Farm Bill the week of November 5.

The bill approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee makes important investments in conservation and includes key provisions for beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers. However, more needs to be done to address the inequities in farm supports, especially programs that are trade distorting and that harm farmers in developing countries. While ensuring a genuine farm safety net, savings from greater fairness improvements need to be used for nutrition assistance to low-income people, conservation and rural development.

The Conference will continue to work for fairness and justice in our food and farm policies as the Farm bill moves to conference committee for final passage, possibly before Thanksgiving.

After more than a week of deliberations, the 2007 Farm Bill remains stalled due to the U.S. Senate's failure to reach an agreement on amendments to the bill. Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) filed a cloture vote on the proposal, a procedure that would limit the debate on the bill. However, that vote failed with 55 members in favor and 42 members opposed to the motion.

The future of 2007 Farm Bill, which reauthorizes the Food Stamp Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, remains uncertain. One possible scenario is that the Senate will continue to work to resolve disagreements on the proposal and resume the debate after the Thanksgiving recess. Another possible scenario is that Congress may decide to extend the current Farm Bill for one or two more years. According to the Associated Press, Senator Harkin suggested that extending the current Farm Bill for one year is an option, since the procedural vote failed to move the debate forward.

Attending include: Sitting, l-r: Ed Luersman (Ft. Jennings), Helen Luersman (Ft. Jennings), Joanne Raha (Mingo Junction), Donna Betts (Whipple), Fr. Richard Snoke (Danville).
Middle Row: Bob Gronski (NCRLC), Gordon Smith (Minster), Willard Dahlinghaus (Minster), Tony Stieritz (Archdiocese Cincinnati), Anne Lucas (Toledo), Jerry Freewalt (Diocese Columbus), Floyd Hohman ( McCuthenville).
Back Row: Fr. David Gaydosi (Woodsfield), Louie Smith (Fremont), Bob Slicker (Canal Fulton), Phil Hertzfeld (Waterville), Bro. Don Fisher ( Carthagena), Sr. Chris Pratt (Diocese Toledo), Joe Logan (Ohio Farmers Union), Jim Tobin (Catholic Conference Ohio).
Not pictured: Rick Walker (Diocese of Youngstown). He's taking the picture!