Source: NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE COALITION, 6/12/18

In response to Senator Chuck Grassley’s (R-IA) announcement that he would issue an amendment in the Senate Agriculture Committee to close loopholes and target abuse of commodity subsidy programs, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) released the following comment:

“Congress is at a critical juncture when it comes to the future of the farm safety net,” said NSAC Policy Director Greg Fogel. “In the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress must decide if the role of the farm safety net is to protect working farmers from sharp yield and price swings, or if it to subsidize commodity production without limit or concern about farm consolidation or limiting opportunities for beginning farmers. We urge the Senate Agriculture Committee to do the right thing for American agriculture, and to support Senator Grassley’s proposed amendment to reduce commodity subsidy payment limits, target payments to legitimate farmers, and eliminate loopholes that lead to abuse of the system. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is pleased to join with other leading farmer advocacy organizations – the Center for Rural Affairs, National Family Farm Coalition, National Farmers Union, National Grange, National Young Farmers Coalition, and Rural Coalition – in a letter of support for Senator Grassley’s amendment.”