Mar 26, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC -- The House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management met today to discuss current issues in farm bill implementation. The hearing was well-timed, on the heels of the USA Rice Federation supplying information to the committee about rice priorities and concerns.
Subcommittee Chairman Rick Crawford (R-AR) opened the hearing with an emphasis on the importance of the Farm Bill and the programs it authorizes as well as concerns about the actively engaged proposed rule and margin coverage insurance for rice farmers.
Crawford called newly proposed "actively engaged" regulations "arbitrary and capricious," noting that the regulation "ignores the remarkable diversity and complexity in agriculture today."
The hearing focused more specifically on crop insurance programs including how the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) applies to rice.
"After years of low participation and recent news that basic revenue protection will not be available this year to rice producers, I hope you will do all you can to ensure that this new margin product works for rice producers, in particular," Crawford said.
USDA Risk Management Agency Administrator Brandon Willis responded with an assurance that his agency is eager to find a solution to price discovery and county coverage issues for rice and will continue to seek input from stakeholders.
Contact: Lydia Holmes (703) 236-1440