Agricultural News
House Ag Committee Calls Current Budget Situation an Opportunity to Make Federal Programs More Efficient
Wed, 16 Mar 2011 6:39:53 CDT
Tuesday, the House Agriculture Committee adopted the budget views and estimates letter which outlines the committee's budget recommendations for the agencies and programs under its jurisdiction for fiscal year 2012. The letter will be submitted to House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as required by section 301(d) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as well as House Rule X, clause 4(f).
"I view our current budget situation as an opportunity to make our agriculture policy even more efficient while allowing farmers and ranchers continued access to the risk management tools vital to producing the safest, most abundant, and most affordable food and fiber supply in the world. While streamlining our programs, we must be careful not to jeopardize the stability of the agricultural industry, which will play a key role in feeding an estimated 9 billion people by the year 2050," said Chairman Frank Lucas.
"The Agriculture Committee is prepared to make our fair contribution toward deficit reduction. We have already reduced commodity program spending over the course of several farm bills and crop insurance through the SRA process that was done in May. I don't believe, however, that our Committee should bear a disproportionate share of the cuts. Everything should be on the table," said Ranking Member Collin Peterson.
In the letter, the Chairman and membership point out that agricultural programs have been reduced significantly in recent years- real cuts in the Commodity Title, Conservation, Research and in Crop Insurance. At the same time, nutrition spending has risen dramatically.
Click here to read the full letter as released by the Committee.
To see the video of the Business meeting from Tuesday morning, Click here.
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