Talking Farm Bill

Talking Farm Bill. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

Now that 2012 is here a lot of thought has turned to the Farm Bill and for tree fruit and grape growers across the northwest the term special interest is supremely important. NW politicians and ag leaders are keeping a close eye on the farm bill especially since this is an election year and there are questions as to whether a bill can even be completed. Washington Congressman Doc Hastings

HASTINGS: Well there’s no question that it being an election year it’s more difficult to pass a major piece of legislation, there’s no question about that. But also I know that Chairman Frank Lucas from Oklahoma has been working not only on a bipartisan way but a bicameral way with the Senate to seriously look at reauthorizing the Farm Bill. I certainly would not write it off. I mean it is difficult in an election year, no question, but I would not write off its chances of getting passed this year.

Dan Newhouse, Director of the Washington State Department of Ag is not quite so sure.

NEWHOUSE: That I have no idea. There was a lot of momentum towards getting one then that kind of - I shouldn’t say it was totally derailed but certainly there was some slowdown. But it sounds to me like there’s interests from parts of leadership from both sides to keep on working, use what was put together last year as a foundation so we may, we may.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.