Senate Farm Bill Contains Priorities for America’s Cattle Producers

Washington (November 15, 2001) - The Farm Bill passed by the Senate Agriculture Committee today contains many of the priorities for America’s cattle producers, according to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

“NCBA commends the committee for passing a Farm Bill that provides for significant increases in conservation funding; establishes a Grassland Reserve Program and focuses conservation programs on working lands” said Jay Truitt, Executive Director of Public Policy for NCBA. “We are particularly pleased that the bill contains a Conservation Title that will assist livestock producers in complying with local, state and federal environmental laws."

Specifically the Conservation Title includes a stepped up increase in funding for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), representing a 7-fold increase. Producers will also be able to use EQIP to complete mandatory comprehensive management plans.

“The Grassland Reserve Program is the only new conservation program in both the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill,” said Truitt. “The program will assist producers in keeping grasslands in grass and assist producers pressured by urban sprawl by keeping working lands working.”

Another key part of the bill is re-authorization of the Private Grazing Land Initiative, also known as GLCI. The bill will provide for technical, educational and related assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service and third-party providers.

“NCBA will continue to engage in the development of mandatory country-of-origin labeling and the rescinding of the USDA grade stamp on imported carcasses that were approved by the committee as part of the Miscellaneous Title,” said Truitt.

The Senate version of the Farm Bill is similar to the House version, with the exception of the Commodity Title. The Senate is expected to take up the Farm Bill following Thanksgiving recess, with final passage possible prior to the end of the year.

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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.