SNAP and the Farm Bill Timeline
With your Southeast Regional Ag News, I’m Haylie Shipp.There’s an increasing likelihood that the next Farm Bill will be written during a time of high commodity prices. That could lead to discussions over the needs of a robust safety net for farmers and ranchers.
As ag takes a spotlight in D.C. during National Ag Week, there’s a lot of discussion on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Overall, nutrition spending makes up 80% of the total budget for the Farm Bill. Of the programs covered by nutrition, SNAP accounts for 95% of all spending.
Former Senate and House Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts says the program must be part of the Farm Bill…
“Number one, the USDA runs it better than any other agency. Number two, you're not going to pass the Farm Bill without an appropriate food stamp program, and it fits into what farmers and ranchers and growers do.”
Regarding the timing of the next Farm Bill, House Agriculture Committee Chair David Scott of Georgia says the process is underway and on-time…
“Our timeline for the next Farm Bill is well within the standard timeline.”
Both speaking at the 2022 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit held on Monday.