Extension Feedback & Wildfires Continue

Extension Feedback & Wildfires Continue plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

The National Association of Conservation Districts - along with a coalition of farm and environmental groups - has sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner expressing disapproval of the proposed farm bill extension. NACD Government Affairs Director Laura Wood says while it’s understandable producers need drought assistance covered under the extension measure - both of the five year plans passed by the full Senate and House Ag Committee allow for that help while treating conservation fairly.

WOOD: We’ve got a really good framework for the next 5 years ready to go and Speaker Boehner as well as Representative have not allowed floor time for the House to consider the full farm bill and instead we have this extension that came out on Friday which is short-sighted, it’s only one year and it takes 75% of the funding for the job assistance comes from the conservation title. We don’t like that.

A number of wild fires continue to plague tired firefighters across the northwest including a blaze in Idaho that was started by lightening. The Halstead blaze is now over 3700 acres and has forced the closure of the popular Cape Horn recreation area. The fire is about 20 miles north of Stanley, ID. If you have camping or travel plans in the area be sure to call the local parks service for updated information.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

Forget the old adage, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again”. Apparently, Congress has decided to go with “pass the buck” when it comes to the Farm Bill. With Congress wanting to extend the 2008 Farm Bill for a year before leaving for the August recess many farm organizations moved beyond sheer frustration over the lack of decision making by Congress, and are now feeling outright ire. The message being conveyed by the majority of ag leaders is that farmers need to know what the farm programs are going to be over the long term in order to make their plans. An extension means the farm bill drafting process will have to start all over again with the new Congress. But then, that’s the point isn’t it? With such an extension politicians could rest easier during an election year with no one having to take the heat over a final Farm Bill drafting, or at least that seems to be the thought process. But this political ploy could quite easily backfire on both parties. Real lives and livelihoods are the playing pieces in this political chess game. Passing the buck is bad, passing the buck while destroying essential programs and reform packages is shameful.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.