FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 27, 2007

Contact:  Sandy Courtnage

Montana Farmers Union Applauds House Farm Bill Passage

GREAT FALLS, MT (July 27, 2007) – The House of Representatives passed a farm bill today that supports many of Montana Farmers Union’s farm bill priorities.  Montana Farmers Union commended members of the House for their support of vital programs beneficial to rural America.

The bill provides a counter-cyclical safety net for farmers when prices are low; establishes a process for implementing mandatory country-of-origin labeling; increases funding for conservation, nutrition, renewable energy and fruit and vegetable growers; and authorizes a permanent disaster program.

“I am very pleased to see the House approve a farm bill that benefits Montana’s family farmers and ranchers,” Montana Farmers Union President Alan Merrill said.  “The farm bill also ends years of delays to implement mandatory country-of-origin labeling.  Montana Farmers Union has been advocating for the labeling law for 15 years and after five years of delays, consumers will finally know where their food comes from.”

In addition, the House bill authorizes a permanent disaster program, a top Montana Farmers Union priority, but the funding resources are still unavailable.  Additionally, competition reforms, such as a ban on packer ownership of livestock, were not addressed.  Montana Farmers Union is hopeful that as the Senate begins farm bill debate in September they will be able to find disaster funds and address this important issue.

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