Just as President Obama was preparing to sign the Agricultural Act of 2014 into law, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) held a media conference call Friday to highlight expansion of the Farm Bill’s energy programs to renewable companies and discuss next steps for the industry to achieve parity with other renewable technologies. Participating in the call were: Matt Carr, BIO …
President Signs Farm Bill
President Obama traveled to Michigan State University to sign the Agricultural Act of 2014 at the alma mater of Senate Agriculture Committee chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Stabenow was among those who joined the president as he signed the bill, along with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) and others. Listen to or download the …
Vilsack on Farm Bill Priorities
The U.S. Senate today passed the long-overdue 2012 Farm Bill by a vote of 68-32. According to Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, the Agricultural Act of 2014 will “reform agriculture programs, reduce the deficit, and help farmers, ranchers and business owners grow the economy.” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the bill includes “meaningful reform and billions of dollars in …
Iowa Senator to Vote No on Farm Bill
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced last week that he intends to vote against the farm bill conference report passed by the House. In a floor speech on Thursday, January 30, Sen. Grassley explained why he opposed the Agricultural Act of 2014. “I strongly support the business of agriculture….But if I were to vote yes on this bill, it would be …
Livestock Groups Address Farm Bill Concerns
Livestock organizations and food associations are opposing the farm bill out of conference committee this week because makes no changes to the Country of Origin Labeling law (COOL), which is being challenged by Mexico and Canada over world trade violations. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president Scott George, National Association of Manufacturers director of international trade policy Jessica Lemos, and National …
Sen. Thune on Farm Bill and RFS
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) answered questions from reporters this week on when a farm bill might be done and what he would like to see in it, as well as his thoughts on the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Audio courtesy of Agri-Pulse.
Sen. Leahy Talks about Need for Farm Bill
Farm bill conference committee member Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) took to the floor on Tuesday to talk about the need for Congress to pass a five-year farm bill. Leahy, who is a member of the House-Senate conference committee on the bill, says they are making progress toward getting compromise legislation passed.