The fight to confirm the 2018 Agriculture and Nutrition Act—generally known as the farm bill—has been contentious, as public-health advocates spar with lawmakers over key provisions in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Now, it looks like no one will win: According to Politico, Congress will put off passing the new farm bill until after the mid-term elections.
The current farm bill expired on Sunday. In the meantime, Congress can extend the bill. If they fail to do so, what would such a gap mean for key United States Department of Agriculture programs that protect public health and the environment?
CONSERVATION PROGRAMS MAY BE AT RISK
According to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, $1.1 billion in funding for conservation and sustainable agriculture programs will be at risk if Congress does not pass an extension, starting October 1st. "This will directly impact farmers and ranchers at the worst possible time," the NRAC said in a statement. During this period, farmers will not be able to enroll in federal programs that promote conservation of soil, water, and wildlife habitat. The U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service will also not be able to hold up existing agreements to protect farmland, grasslands, and wetlands. On Thursday, Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts told Politico that he's working on securing an extension to close the gap for these programs, which will remain in political limbo until the mid-terms.
[For more on this story by EMILY MOON, go to https://psmag.com/news/what-wi...arm-bill-has-expired]
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