If Congress is unable to pass a new farm bill within the next few weeks, farmers say, food prices could rise, leaving both farmers and consumers in a tough economic position.
For the past several years, farmers have been frustrated by the continued lack of a new, five-year farm bill. While the Senate has repeatedly passed bipartisan farm bills, the House of Representatives has continually been unable to pass vital farm legislation. In July, the body finally passed a farm bill, but was only able to do so by splitting farm legislation from nutritional subsidies.
While the split has been popular among conservatives, it has drawn sharp criticism from many rural representatives on both sides of the aisle. Rural Republicans like Colorado Congressman Cory Gardner have attacked their own party’s leadership for its farm policies. “I think the House weakened its hands by splitting the bill in the first place,” Gardner said, after a town hall meeting. “It was bad for rural Colorado.”
In addition to hurting farmers and rural residents, the failure of Congress to pass a new farm bill could increase food prices for consumers. Without support from Congress, farmers may be forced out of business. Without crop insurance, for example, many farms would have shut down during last summer’s drought. Without new dairy programs, many dairy farmers may not be able to remain in business. Fewer farms and less farm production will likely drive up prices, squeezing many consumers in the middle of an already tough economy.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer