National Association of Conservation Districts President Earl Garber (pictured) says the farm bill conference report is evidence of a strong, bipartisan understanding of the true value conservation brings to the landscape and the economy. He notes the conference report provides an increase in funding and the establishment of permanent baselines to critical programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program – or EQIP. NACD says the conference report includes two of the group’s top farm bill priorities – conservation compliance tied to crop insurance and language to streamline the conservation Technical Assistance delivery process. Garber says linking conservation compliance to crop insurance will further the conservation of natural resources while protecting the producer’s bottom line. NACD has also been an advocate for changes to streamline the TA delivery process by giving decision-making authority to the Secretary of USDA for effective implementation of conservation programs. NACD is calling on all parties invested in conservation to urge their members of Congress to vote in favor of the farm bill. Garber says the nation’s farmers and landowners deserve to have long-term certainty to effectively and efficiently manage their land, resources and businesses for the years ahead.
Not Everyone Happy with Agricultural Act of 2014 Conference Report
The American Meat Institute, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Chicken Council, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation and North American Meat Association say they will oppose the farm bill because it doesn’t contain provisions to change the country of origin labeling for red meat rules or restrict implementation of the provision from the 2008 Farm Bill to alter USDA’s implementation of the Packers and Stockyards Act. National Farmers Union supports the provisions in the bill and asks members of Congress to listen to family farmers, ranchers and consumers to support the bill and get it done.
Source: NAFB News Service