MFU Commends Senate for its Passage of a Farm Bill

GREAT FALLS, MT (Dec. 14, 2007) – The Montana Farmers Union made the following statement regarding the Senate’s passage of the 2007 Farm Bill.

“We commend Montana’s Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester for their hard work on behalf of agricultural producers and consumers throughout Montana. The passage of a Farm Bill in the Senate paves the way for a conference committee agreement that we hope will be signed ultimately into law by the President.

“The Senate’s bill includes many Montana Farmers Union priorities including protection of a safety net for farmers when prices are low; ensuring that country-of-origin labeling (COOL) will be implemented; creating a permanent disaster program for producers who suffer weather-related losses; and allowing interstate shipment of state-inspected meat and poultry.

“Additional highlights include increased funding for conservation programs, nutrition programs, and specialty crop programs, and a livestock competition title to ensure open competitive markets for livestock producers.

“The renewable energy provisions in the bill, as well as those recently passed in the Senate Energy Bill, also will allow Montana’s farmers and ranchers to participate in a significant way in our country’s energy independence. It is possible to provide food, fiber and fuel and not reduce the availability, dependability or safety of American-produced food.

“We are hopeful that the House-Senate conference committee can agree quickly on how to merge the two bills into one, and move the 2007 Farm Bill along to the President for his signature.

“MFU believes that this compromise effort will be one that can work for all the country’s farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and consumers.”

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