TODAY [ 6 HOURS AGO ]
Chairmen Conaway and Roberts sign 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report 12/10/18 Photo: U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
The 2018 Farm Bill has been signed by Conference Committee leaders and has been sent to the full House and Senate for consideration.
House and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairmen Mike Conaway and Pat Roberts and Ranking Members Collin Peterson and Debbie Stabenow released the text of the bipartisan, bicameral 2018 Farm Bill conference report Monday night. In a joint statement, Conaway says, “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.” Roberts says, “As promised, this farm bill provides much-needed certainty and predictability for all producers – of all crops – across all regions across the country.”
Ranking Member Peterson says, “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.” Ranking Senate Member Stabenow says, “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.”
The conference report was signed by the House and Senate Farm Bill conferees and will be considered with a vote in both chambers. It’s not clear when the votes will take place.
House committee staff say the report renames the Dairy Margin Protection Program and adds new coverage levels, changes ARC and PLC guidelines, does no harm to the crop insurance program, establishes funding for a vaccine bank, and offers crop insurance for industrial hemp without making hemp a covered commodity under Title I.