Environmental Defense Praises Introduction of First Major Agriculture Bill in New Congress by Reps. Kind, Gerlach, Allen, Sens. Menendez, Boxer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Meg Little, mlittle@environmentaldefense.org , 202-572-3387
Sharyn Stein, sstein@environmentaldefense.org , 202-572-3396

(Washington, DC – March 15, 2007) – Environmental Defense praised the introduction today of the first major agriculture legislation in the new Congress for proposing to dramatically increase funding for voluntary conservation programs in this year’s Farm Bill. U.S. Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (-D-CA) introduced a revised version of The Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act that originally was introduced last year in the House only.

The bill would:

    - Double incentives for better water quality to $2 billion a year;
    - Provide farmers $300 million a year to enhance wildlife habitat;
    - Help farmers restore 3 million acres of wetlands;
    - Protect more than 10 million of acres of farm and ranchland from sprawl; and
    - Promote development of renewable energy sources.

“I applaud these members of Congress for introducing this legislation that will help make health, energy, equity and the environment a central focus of the 2007 Farm Bill,” said Scott Faber, farm policy campaign director for Environmental Defense, who joined Reps. Kind, and Gerlach and Senator Menendez, along with farmers, ranchers and family forest landowners who utilize conservation programs from around the country for a 10:30am Capitol Hill news conference today announcing the bill introduction. “Our farmers, ranchers and forest landowners are anxious to solve America’s environmental challenges. They can help provide clean air, clean water, and clean energy, but only if we reward – rather than reject – their offers to help.”

As a result of inadequate funding of the current Farm Bill that took effect in 2002, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) currently turns away three out of four farmers who are eligible for conservation payments. Unlike subsidies, conservation payments flow to all farmers, ranchers and landowners regardless of what they grow or where they live.

Read the bill summary [pdf]
Read the bill section-by-section [pdf]
Read the bill Q & A [pdf] 

For more information about The Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act, visit www.environmentaldefense.org/go/farms/