SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE PASSES ITS VERSION OF FARM BILL

The Senate Finance Committee has completed its consideration of Chairman Max Baucus’ (D-Mont.) version of a new farm bill, the Heartland, Habitat, Harvest and Horticulture Act of 2007. The committee’s bill would provide funding for the 2007 Farm Bill and create a permanent disaster assistance program for farmers and ranchers hurt by weather-related disasters. The bill also includes $800 million for specialty crop priorities under the permanent disaster assistance package; $120 million in mandatory funding for the Tree Assistance Program, which now includes nursery crops; and $200 million for pest and disease programs. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) say they will support carrying the bill forward to the Senate Agriculture Committee and expanding it to include many priorities that would benefit specialty crop growers. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) says his committee is set to take up the bill the week of Oct. 22.

(Members-Only articles are indicated in bold.)