(Washington, D.C) U.S. Congressman Sam Graves helped pass the 2007 Farm Bill through the U.S. House earlier this year; however the new version of the farm bill is still being debated in the Senate. Graves has joined with other House Agriculture members today to propose a one year extension of the current farm policy. The farm bill expired on September 30th of this year.

 

“Producers need certainty as they start making preparations to go back into the field in 2008,” said Graves, who is one of a handful of farmers in Congress. “I am committed to finishing a new, forward-looking farm bill that works for Missouri. However, there is still a lot of work to be done and we need to make sure that our farmers and ranchers are able to make good decisions while this legislation is being completed.”

 

Without reauthorization, farm policy will revert to permanent statues established in 1938 and 1949 laws which are drastically different from current programs. The permanent statues exclude many commodities, such as rice, soybeans and peanuts; set support prices much higher than current levels; and prevent new enrollment in various conservation programs. Currently, 22 Republicans have signed on as co-sponsors of this much needed legislation.

 

“Everyone relies on agriculture three times a day,” said Graves. “The longer we have uncertainty, the more severe the consequences will be on the agriculture market.”

 

The bill will be referred to the Agriculture Committee, of which Graves is the only Missouri member.

 

 

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