WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue unveiled the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Bill & Legislative Principles for Congress to consider as they craft the Farm Bill and other legislation impacting rural America. The principles cover a wide array of USDA’s mission areas, including farm production and conservation, trade and foreign agricultural affairs, marketing and regulatory programs, food safety and inspection services, and rural development.
The common themes throughout USDA’s principles document are supporting the U.S. agriculture sector, lessening the burden of regulations, and helping the American people. Through the principles, USDA offers counsel to Congress and supports legislation that provides a strong safety net for farmers to weather times of reduced prices, ensures that voluntary conservation programs balance farm productivity with conservation benefits, and helps open foreign markets for U.S. agriculture products.
“These USDA principles are complimentary to USA Rice priorities for the Farm Bill,” said Ben Mosely, USA Rice vice president of government affairs. “We’re encouraged that Secretary Perdue has offered assistance in a way that provides Congress with the flexibility needed to put together legislation that works for all of the stakeholders, and we look forward to continuing the partnership we have with Congress and USDA to ensure that the final package works for rice farmers and agriculture as a whole.”
Congress will have to pass a new Farm Bill or extend the current bill by September 30 when the current legislation expires.