07/17/08 Making the Farm Bill Work

Making the Farm Bill Work. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. The ink on the 2007 Farm Bill is barely dry and now comes the part of figuring out how it will all work. The twice-vetoed bill continues the old safety net of loan deficiency payments, counter-cyclical payments and direct payments, but it also offers a new average crop revenue election that farmers can sign up for, beginning with the 2009 crop. Passing the bill was an exercise in futility for many politicians. Ag secretary Ed Schafer says that now the bill is done it is time to put aside differences and get to work. SCHAFER: The farm bill was a long and challenging process. But as we've gone through it, the American democratic process really does work and now we do have legislation in place and it's time to set aside our political differences and work as best we can to implement the bill. USDA will implement the farm bill in a way that's best for farmers, ranchers and rural America. Schafer says he's heard rumors that say otherwise, especially concerning the new disaster program. SCHAFER: Since we opposed it there are people out there saying, well the administration will try to figure out how to torpedo it or make it not work. I find all these rumors that go around pretty interesting. But I will assure you that USDA certainly plans on implementing this bill appropriately, swiftly and as best we can. But Secretary Schafer says following the law means there are some things USDA cannot do. SCHAFER: I know a lot of you would like to see us start making partial payments to those who have suffered from the recent floods in the Midwest, but the fact is, we are just unable to do so. USDA just does not have the ability to issue advanced disaster payments because of the way that the law is written. But Schafer says he's proud that just two weeks after the bill's passage USDA announced sign-up for the direct and counter-cyclical payment programs. SCHAFER: Right now we're in the process of delivering a little over a billion dollars worth of partial payments for that program. There is a load of information on the web regarding the new farm bill and it could take several months to get through it all. And of course it will take time for all the government types to get done figuring out what is next. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.