Last week the House passed the 2007 Farm Bill with a vote of 231-191. Thanks to the actions taken by you and thousands in the AFT Action Network, the House bill provides a strong base to build upon as farm bill work begins in the Senate. Overall, the House bill increases conservation spending by about 35 percent, significantly increases funding for school fruit and vegetable programs and expands support for local food systems.
We can multiply the progress made in the House by pushing for stronger reform in the Senate.
Thousands on AFT's Action Network sent messages demanding an end to farm subsidy distortion. While the House bill should have gone farther to reform subsidy programs, Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Brown (D-OH) have answered your calls and set the stage for transformation with the Farm Safety Net Improvement Act of 2007 (S. 1872).
Current subsidy programs encourage overproduction on marginal lands, harming our environment and distorting the marketplace with an over-abundance of artificially cheap commodities. The Farm Safety Net Improvement Act is real subsidy reform. Payments are based on market indicators rather than on politically set targets, making the program less market and trade distorting. Efficiencies are gained by integrating crop insurance and by eliminating excessive, duplicative payments to producers in years when they are not needed.
It will provide better protection to all farmers when it’s needed most—when they face a drop in revenue due to disasters like floods or droughts.
All at no additional cost to taxpayers.
Tell your Senators to Support and Sign on to S. 1872 Today!
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