[June 13, 2013]BLOOMINGTON -- The U.S. Senate
took an important step Monday in securing the future and stability
of American agriculture by approving its version of a new five-year
farm bill, said Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson.
"We're extremely pleased to see the Senate pass a farm bill that
achieves federal budget savings, protects revenue and streamlines
conservation programs consistent with IFB farm policy goals," Nelson
said.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the Senate farm
bill would save $17.9 billion over 10 years.
Additionally, Nelson said Illinois Farm Bureau is pleased to see
enhanced crop insurance provisions in S. 954, the Agriculture Reform
and Risk Management Act of 2013.
"Crop insurance is essential for effective risk management and a
stable food supply," Nelson said. "After last year's historic
drought, the need for crop insurance is more apparent than ever,
especially with no federal agricultural disaster relief programs in
place. Senators have done the right thing in passing a bill that
makes crop insurance the cornerstone of U.S. farm policy."
During Senate farm bill debate over the past two weeks, members
of Illinois Farm Bureau reached out to the state's two U.S. senators
to oppose amendments harmful to crop insurance and to encourage the
Senate to keep the bill's approval process moving. The affirmative
vote in the Senate sends a strong positive signal to the U.S. House
to complete its work on a five-year farm bill. It is anticipated
that the House will consider its version of the bill (H.R. 1947)
later this month.
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The Illinois Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau
Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers. Founded
in 1916, IFB is a nonprofit, membership organization directed by
farmers who join through their county farm bureaus. IFB has a total
membership of more than 400,000, a voting membership of more than
82,000 and represents 3 out of 4 Illinois farmers.
