Senator Webb Says Modest Reforms in Farm Bill Strengthen Conservation Efforts, Promote Nutrition

Virginia Senator Supported Multiple Efforts to Improve Bill Further

December 14, 2007 -- Washington, DC –Senator Webb issued the following statement today upon the Senate passage of the 2007 Farm Bill:

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“I voted for final passage of the Farm Bill which passed the Senate this afternoon by a margin of 79 to 14. Prior to final passage, I voted for a series of reform measures which unfortunately did not achieve the 60 vote threshold necessary to be incorporated into the bill.

“These included:

* A proposal by former Chairman of the Agriculture Committee Senator Lugar, a respected voice on agricultural issues in the U.S. Senate, which would have phased out antiquated Depression-era commodity support programs and replaced them with crop insurance for all crops;
* A common-sense proposal by Senator Dorgan to limit the billions of dollars in government payments that go to certain classes of commodity farms, some of which collect more than a million dollars a year in government checks. This amendment would have also curtailed $1.3 billion in cash payments to people who don’t even actively farm; and
* A thoroughly reasonable amendment by Senator Klobuchar that would have eliminated federal payments to farms and corporate farms making more than $750,000 a year.

“Even though the Senate voted down these measures, the bill as passed is a significant improvement over existing law. It makes sound investments in conservation and nutrition and successfully tightens loopholes which have previously allowed corporate agricultural enterprises to avoid payment limitations.

“One area where the Commonwealth scored a significant victory is in the bill’s renewed emphasis on environmental stewardship and conservation efforts. These conservation measures mark a significant step in our ongoing efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. To the benefit of Virginia and neighboring states, we were able to secure $165 million to help farmers build much needed buffers to reduce fertilizer and waste runoff into the Bay and accompanying waterways.

“Another noteworthy achievement in this bill is a $100 million authorization in compensatory damages for the group of African American farmers who were discriminated against by the Department of Agriculture. I’m pleased to see that as many as 70,000 black farmers will have the opportunity to seek fair resolution of their claims.

“Finally this bill provides $288 billion to fund food stamps and comparable nutrition programs for our nation’s most vulnerable citizens. Specifically, the bill includes half a billion dollars in new spending to help food banks meet the needs of their communities. With the rising costs of housing, health care and gasoline, many have experienced a fresh need for federal assistance to put food on their dinner tables. I’m pleased we were able to support these important safety net programs during a time when they are needed most.”

Source: Senator Jim Webb