Undated — Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says the prospects for passage of a five-year Farm Bill are positive — after the election.
If no action is taken before the end of the year, the federal farm policies in place decades ago will go into effect — meaning farmers will not get federal crop insurance subsidies, for example.
The Senate Ag Commitee has not passed its own version of the Farm Bill and Democrats who are in the majority in the Senate say the House GOP’s proposed 30 BILLION dollar cut in federal food assistance is unacceptable. Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, says funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a stumbling block.
Ryan Melton of Webster City, the Democrat who’s running against Feenstra, says the Farm Bill needs to address water quality.
Melton says federal farm policy has to respond to the significant increase in large-scale livestock operations.
Melton suggests it’s time to consider federal regulations on how much manure and other farm chemicals can be applied to cropland.
Melton made his comments during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa PBS.
