July 31, 2006

ISSUE 1126

FARM BILL EXTENSION POSSIBLE AFTER TRADE TALKS COLLAPSE

In the wake of the recent suspension of world trade talks on agriculture, industry leaders and lawmakers say a new farm bill may not be crafted in the coming year.
Senate Ag Committee Chair Saxby Chambliss said, however, that he will push for a five-year farm bill next year. And House Ag Committee Chairman Goodlatte said at the last farm bill hearing Monday (July 24) that his committee wanted to develop a new farm bill that addressed long term sustainable agriculture rather than extend the existing farm bill.

“Any extension of the current farm bill will likely include a continuation of existing programs, but it also means a delay for introducing new program ideas for the next farm bill,” said Ray Gilmer, director of public affairs at FFVA. “The uncertainty caused by the apparent failure of the WTO agricultural negotiations gives lawmakers a reason to keep the status quo.”

The American Farm Bureau Thursday (July 27) called for an extension of the 2002 farm bill for at least one year.

An extension could affect the price support mechanism for wheat, feed grains and soybeans. It also could affect the current ban on growing fruit and vegetables on program acres.

The Doha Round of the world trade talks ended Monday amid disagreements about domestic subsidies and market access.

FARM BILL EXTENSION POSSIBLE AFTER TRADE TALKS COLLAPSE

HOUSE AG COMMITTEE HOLDS FINAL FARM BILL HEARING

USDA GRADE STANDARDS TO IMPACT DRC FOB GOOD ARRIVAL GUIDELINES

DEADLINE APPROACHING TO COMMENT ON PROPOSED DHS EMPLOYER RULE

EARLY REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED FOR LABOR RELATIONS FORUM

MARKET RESEARCH REPORT NOW AVAILABLE ON CAFTA-DR COUNTRIES

BUILDING A NEW BRAND FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES