10/26/07 Farm Bill finally moves out of Senate Committee

Washington Ag October 26, 2007 A new farm bill is finally headed for the U.S. Senate floor. Harkin: "You have heard the motion to adopt the bill. All in favor say "aye." Opposed "no." Let the record show that a quorum is present and the bill will be reported out." Senate Ag Committee Chairman Tom Harkin Thursday as the panel adopted an amended Food and Security Act of 2007. Like the House passed legislation Harkin says the Senate Farm Bill continues the commodity program safety net of the 2002 Farm Bill with no cut in direct payments, and includes a revenue assurance option. Also like the House bill, specialty crops are addressed. Harkin: "The bill also greatly increases assistance to growers of fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops. We expand the very popular fruit and vegetable program to reach nearly 4.5 million children in elementary schools nationwide." There is 15 million dollars in the bill to help asparagus producers in Washington, California and Michigan who were hurt by the Andean Trade Preferences Act to help them plant new acreage and invest in more efficient planting and harvesting equipment. The conservation title has an estimated four billion dollars in new budget authority. The Food and Security Act of 2007 as passed by the Ag Committee includes the House language on Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling but also has the ban on packer ownership of livestock 14 days before slaughter. That's not in the House bill. I'm Bob Hoff.