Parker also expressed disappointment regarding Congressman Flake's amendment to reduce the income means test for farm program eligibility.
“By lowering the adjusted gross income (AGI) test to $250,000, the Appropriations Committee has introduced a major change that cuts across all of production agriculture,” Parker added. “In the 2008 farm bill, Congress went through a lengthy debate before imposing tighter eligibility requirements. It is anticipated that the Agriculture Committees will debate eligibility provisions in the next farm bill. Any debate or changes to those provisions should only be done by the authorizing committees as part of the next farm bill.”
Despite generally higher market prices, 2011 is shaping up to be a year characterized by extreme price volatility, escalated input costs, devastating droughts and historic floods. In this environment of increased risks, farmers have made multi-year planning decisions based on the provisions of the 2008 farm law.
“The actions by the House Appropriations Committee undermine the critical safety net of farm programs in an uncertain economic climate,” Parker said.
The NCC will work with the leaders of the House Agriculture and Appropriations Committees in an effort to reverse these misguided and counterproductive amendments.
National Cotton Council (NCC)
marketing@alchempro.com
