Corn Groups Say Farm Bill Falls Short
Posted: February 11, 2008
Six state corn grower organizations have issued a joint-statement saying that “a farm bill without an optional “revenue-based” safety net is little better than no bill at all.”
The state corn association of Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland and Virginia say that the key elements of a revenue-based system include being based on market prices, being exclusive of other programs, and being designed to activate on need. There should also be the ability to negotiate direct payments and state and county triggers should be used rather than a national trigger.
The effort to merge old and new ideas has led to a startling gap in both the House and Senate farm bill proposals, according to state corn leaders. The disaster aid component being offered to fill this gap is insufficient and risky and seems to show little regard for the corn industry, a key economic driver for the nation.
The groups state that the country needs a program that provides assistance when it’s needed most, not one that is in place because it’s always been done that way.