04/11/08 McMorris Rodgers named farm bill conferee

Washington Ag April 11, 2008 Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers has been named the Republican representative of the House Natural Resources Committee on the Conference Committee for the 2007 Farm Bill. The 5th District Congresswoman says a strong farm policy is one of her goals for advancing agriculture. The Senate had appointed its farm bill conferees some time ago and with the appointment of House members Wednesday the Conference Committee held its first session Thursday morning. Following the meeting House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson told reporters the House offered a farm bill proposal 5.5 billion dollars above baseline that has an offset with bi-partisan support he thinks the White House would accept. Peterson summed up where the extra money plus internal savings would go. Peterson:: "Four billion dollars for conservation, 9.5 billion for nutrition, 1.4 billion for fruits and vegetables, 1.2 billion for energy and a Commodity Title that includes reform but does not go into direct payments." Peterson says the stumbling block to getting the Farm Bill done remains the Senate demand for several tax credits and the money to pay for the Senate's disaster program. The current extension of the 2002 Farm Bill expires next Friday and Peterson says if there isn't a deal by then he doesn't know what will happen. I'm Bob Hoff.