Farm Bureau Supports New, Comprehensive Farm Bill

NEW ORLEANS, January 15, 2008 – Delegates at the 89th American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting today unanimously approved a sense of the delegate body resolution in favor of swift enactment of a new, comprehensive farm bill that maintains an adequate safety net for farmers and ranchers.

Delegates expressed opposition to a one- or two-year extension of the current law because it fails to provide meaningful, long-term economic certainty.

"Farm Bureau members unanimously agreed that a one- or two-year extension of the farm bill only makes it more difficult to write a bill in the future," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "The delegate body also strongly expressed support for President Bush to sign the farm bill into law once the House-Senate conference is completed."

Delegates also reaffirmed support for comprehensive immigration reform that will improve farmers' timely access to legal farm workers.

"Immigration reform remains a top legislative priority for Farm Bureau," said Stallman.

Regarding international trade, delegates reaffirmed existing policy on the importance of opening new markets and expanding existing markets for U.S. farm products. They also voted to strengthen the organization's position that the Clean Water Act does not override the rights of states in regulating water.