Environmental Defense Praises Introduction of First Major Agriculture Bill Prior to 2007 Farm Bill

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CONTACT:
Sean Crowley 202-572-3331, 202-550-6524-c, scrowley@environmentaldefense.org

(September 13, 2006 - Washington, DC) – Below is a statement by Scott Faber, the farm policy campaign director for Environmental Defense, on the introduction today of the first major agriculture bill prior to the 2007 expiration of the current Farm Bill, The Healthy Farms, Foods and Fuels Act of 2006, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI).

“Energy, health and the environment should be the central focus of our federal farm and food policies when Congress renews federal farm and food legislation next year. Renewal of federal farm and food policies creates a rare opportunity to boost energy production on our farms, ranches and forest lands, to give consumers more healthy food choices, and to reward more private land owners when they take steps to meet our environmental challenges. Rising energy and health costs and environmental challenges like climate change are urgent national priorities that are largely unaddressed by current farm and food policies.”

“Americans overwhelmingly support investments in renewable energy produced at home. Renewable energy produced on our farms and ranches reduces our dependence on foreign sources of energy and helps provide steady supplies of energy at stable prices. Expanding the production of energy on our farms and ranches would also reduce our trade deficit and promote economic growth in rural America. In addition, expanding renewable energy development on our farms and ranches can help reduce emissions that contribute to poor air quality and climate change.”

“Health care costs are spiraling out of control, and the rise of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases caused by poor diets is one of America’s biggest public health challenges. Current farm and food policies do little to promote healthier food choices, especially among low income and minority communities. The next farm bill must do much more to promote healthier diets and provide healthy food choices, especially in our schools.”

“Our farmers are anxious to solve our environmental challenges. Farmers can do much more than provide food, fuels and fiber – they can also provide clean air, clean water, and clean energy. Unfortunately, tens of thousands of producers – or roughly three-out-of-four eligible applicants – are annually rejected when they offer to share the cost of cleaner water, air and wildlife habitat, a stable climate, or to serve as the frontline against sprawl. We can’t meet some of America’s most significant environment challenges unless we reward – rather than reject – farmers when they offer to help.”

“Expanding conservation and renewable energy programs will help many more farmers, ranchers and forest landowners weather the ups and downs of agriculture. All farmers are eligible for the funds provided by the Healthy Farms, Foods and Fuels Act. By contrast, only one-third of farmers and ranchers are eligible for traditional farm subsidies that currently consume half of all farm spending because most producers grow crops that are ineligible for these subsidies. Traditional subsidies may violate a 1994 World Trade Organization treaty, inviting retaliatory tariffs, but conservation and renewable energy investments do not violate our treaty obligations. The Healthy Farms, Foods and Fuels Act will help many more farmers, consumers and the environment, will help bring our farm policies into compliance with our treaty obligations, and will pave the way for new trade agreements that open overseas markets to our farm exports.”