In a recent report issues by the US Department of Agriculture’s inspector general, the largest portion of the department’s waste spending is in the form of farm subsidy overpayments. This news is likely to cheer opponents of farm spending, many of whom have long held that farm subsidies are a wasteful giveaway to the wealthy.
Since the 2008 financial crash, farm spending has been a contentious national issue. With fewer and fewer Americans living in rural areas, there is less and less of a connection between voters and agriculture. With many consumers not knowing where their food comes from, there is an ever-increasing sentiment that farm subsidies and farm payments are unnecessary.
The recent USDA report suggests that, to a certain degree, there is an element of waste in subsidy payments. According to the USDA’s inspector general, the agency spent about $15 million on excessive crop insurance payments last year. Interestingly enough, the report suggests that no undue spending could be traced back to food stamps or other USDA nutritional programs.
“USDA can take further steps to improve transparency and agency accountability for identifying and eliminating the highest payment areas,” the report said.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer