(Washington, D.C) U.S. Congressman Sam Graves helped pass the 2007 Farm Bill through the U.S. House today. Graves is the only Missourian on the Agriculture Committee and one of only a handful of farmers in Congress. Graves worked to craft a bill that increases the role of agriculture in energy, fights fraud, provides a safety net and increases opportunities for research and economic development.

 

“I appreciate Sam Graves' hard work and unwavering support for Missouri's farmers and producers,” said Charlie Kruse, the President of Missouri Farm Bureau Federation. “As a farmer himself and the only Missourian on the Agriculture Committee, he carried a heavy burden to make sure this bill reflected the priorities of Missouri agriculture. He worked in a bi-partisan way to ensure our voices were heard.”

 

Graves authored an amendment to the bill that permanently bans anyone convicted of defrauding USDA programs from being eligible again. The bill also created a National Institute of Food and Agriculture that will help bring research in the classroom into the field.

 

“Everyone relies on agriculture three times a day,” said Graves. “It is not a perfect bill, but we’ve worked in a bi-partisan manner to fashion a workable bill. I’ve talked with a lot of farmers and producers and this bill works for Missouri.”

 

The bill also made changes the Rural Utility Service (RUS) program to increase the reach of broadband into rural areas. It will help simplify the application, prevent unfair subsidies to competition and make the process more transparent. In 2004, only 28% of all available RUS funds were used and only five percent in 2005.

 

“It is imperative to our rural way of life that we push broadband out to every corner of Missouri,” said Graves. “Where you live should not limit your opportunities for education, commerce or medical care.”

 

The bill includes new flexibility for farmers who will now have the option of the traditional counter cyclical program or a new revenue based program. A Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) agreement was struck that will take effect in September 2008. It includes three categories of labeling, one that indicates the product was born, raised and slaughtered in the United States; one that indicates that the product was not exclusively born, raised and slaughtered in the U.S.; and one that includes products entirely from other countries.

 

“We have the safest, most abundant food supply in the world and this bill keeps us on track to stay there,” said Graves.

 

The bill will need to be approved by the Senate and signed by the President. The current farm bill expires on September 30^th of this year.

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