Local ag leaders ring in on Farm Bill

President may veto this week

COLUMBIA BASIN - Even though the majority of the Farm Bill goes to nutritional programs, area agriculture representatives think it might be a positive.

The United States Senate and House of Representatives previously approved two different versions and have been meeting in conference committee for several months, explained Washington State Potato Commission Executive Director Chris Voigt.

The committee negotiated a single bill last week, which Voigt said is expected to be approved by the Senate and the House and sent to President George W. Bush for signature this week.

"But he has indicated there might be a possible veto," Voigt said.

The potato commission has been closely following the farm bill to see if it would be able to amend a rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to include fruits and vegetables into the Women, Infants and Children program with the exception of white potatoes.

"We weren't able to get a complete fix in the Farm Bill, but there has been language inserted into the Farm Bill that directs the Secretary of Agriculture to re-evaluate the WIC and to include all fruits and vegetables on a scientific basis," Voigt said. "So once this Farm Bill is approved, that language will be a part of it and it's up to the secretary to review that issue again and report back to Congress."

Both Voigt and Grant County Farm Bureau President Aaron Golladay believe the bill has its merits.

"You know, as far as our area is concerned, not a lot changed," Golladay said, noting he had not yet seen the bill. "But what I saw for notes on it anyway, it's not a bad bill."

Golladay pointed to increased spending for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP.

There was nothing negative for the Columbia Basin he could see, he noted.

"The conservation programs look like they will fit us better," he said. "(Congresswoman) Cathy McMorris Rodgers is on the conference committee and she's made sure that's been a pretty good bill for us."

"I think this is probably the best Farm Bill that's ever been written for Washington state," Voigt said. "Not only is it going to be a benefit for grain growers in our state but more importantly, it's going to recognize all the specialty crops, like fruits and vegetables, that are grown here in Washington state. This is the first time we've seen any kind of significant contribution to specialty crops, so we're pretty excited about it."

The bill would not be a subsidy program for specialty crops, but it would strengthen research, help maintain and open international markets, protect borders from importing invasive pests and get produce items into school systems, Voigt said.

Voigt and Golladay noted the majority of the Farm Bill goes to nutritional assistance.

"Really the majority of funding doesn't go to farmers," Voigt said. "I think a lot of people forget that."

"The biggest thing people really need to be aware of is 70 percent of that is for the nutritional side of things," Golladay agreed. "It used to be 60, now it's 70.

"The only thing I don't know at this point and we may not know for a few days is if Bush is going to sign it," Golladay added. "It didn't meet what he was asking the last time I saw."