FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2012

For more information, contact:
Amy Sauer
Mississippi River Program Manager
773-754-8906
asauer@biodiverse.org

 

Urgency Grows for a New Farm Bill
Citizens insist a modern Farm Bill must protect the health of the Mississippi River

NOVEMBER 12, 2012 – With the election over, the nation can now turn its attention back to the long list of issues previously put on the back burner. One urgent issue is the passage of a new Farm Bill which is the single most significant piece of legislation impacting the people, food and farms in the United States.

Every five years, this bill addresses food safety, nutrition programs and crop insurance, in addition to conservation programs that help farmers improve soil and water health. Passing a smart Farm Bill is of the utmost importance to protecting the land, water and people of the Mississippi River region, from its headwaters in Minnesota to where it enters the Gulf of Mexico through the delta in Louisiana. Members of the Mississippi River Network (MRN) realize the importance of improving this legislation; it affects the health of the Mississippi River as an ecosystem, the quality of drinking water the River provides to 18 million people and contributes to the Gulf Coast “Dead Zone.” Furthermore, since the previous Farm Bill expired on September 30, there is growing uncertainty about its support for some of the hardest working groups in America, our farmers and fishermen.

“With the election behind us, it is time for Congress to pass a Farm Bill now, and it must include the important programs that not only protect, preserve and restore our waterways, but also provide economic certainty for our nation’s farmers,” said Claudia Emken, Mississippi River Network Policy Manager.

In June, the Senate passed a bipartisan Farm Bill (Reform, Foods, and Jobs Act of 2012) that includes programs identified as priorities by member organizations of MRN. These priorities include permanent easements for wetland protection, regional partnerships such as the Mississippi River Basin Initiative and linking subsidies for crop insurance to conservation compliance. The House Agriculture Committee passed its version of the Farm Bill (Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act), but it has not been called to the House floor for debate and vote. The House Farm Bill does not include the conservation compliance provision. Two weeks ago Eric Cantor committed to bringing “Farm Bill issues” to the floor before the end of the year.

“The link between conservation compliance and crop insurance subsidies is absolutely essential to protect the productive capacity of our land,” said Network member Susan Heathcote, Water Programs Director at the Iowa Environmental Council. “These practices are fundamental, basic and have already been enforced through previous Farm Bills, so we know conservation compliance is not only possible, but a proven way to prevent soil erosion on highly erodible cropland and prevent further loss of wetlands.”

The Mississippi River Network is a group of organizations dedicated to protecting the Mississippi River for the well being of the land, water, and people of America’s largest watershed. Thousands of everyday people support the Network’s mission, have signed up as River Citizens and have taken a pledge to act on behalf of the health and sustainability of the River. From farmers to mayors, local groups to national organizations, Americans are urgently demanding a new and improved Farm Bill.

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The Mississippi River Network is managed by Biodiversity Project and supported by McKnight Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation. Visit 1mississippi.org for more information.