Farm group leaders and House Agriculture Committee Chairman
Frank Lucas said this week it is still
"theoretically" possible for Congress to approve new farm and food legislation
before the 2008 Farm Bill expires on Sept. 30.
Thursday, agricultural policy publication Agri-Pulse published an
interview in which he reassured readers there would be a new farm bill, though
the timeline is still uncertain.
Lucas said he remains focused on passage of new legislation before the 2008 law
expires, a similar message heard from Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and
Forestry Committee Ranking Member Pat Roberts this week during the
Republican National Convention.
Tuesday, members of seven groups participating in the Farm Bill Now
coalition held a press conference at the Farm Progress show in Boone, Iowa.
They focused on the need to achieve new, long-term farm policy before existing
law expires. They also spoke to the positive economic impact of a strong farm
economy and the certainty provided by the farm bill in an inherently uncertain
industry.
"Agriculture is one of the few bright spots in the American economy," National
Corn Growers Association First Vice President Pam Johnson said during the press
conference.
"Naysayers might suggest a new bill can't be completed in time, but we are here
to say it can be – and to call on Congress to pull together to finish their
job. This is a bill that will impact every American and a bill that needs to be
done now."
This week, the number of national groups signing on to the Farm Bill Now
message topped 50. Additional groups are welcome to join the effort, outlined
in a statement at www.farmbillnow.com.
Individuals can also throw their names behind
the message by using the website's resources to contact their Members of Congress
on social media or by signing onto a petition available there.
