WASHINGTON, May 7 - A coalition of over 125 agricultural, conservation, environmental, energy, forestry, hunger, and rural stakeholders sent a letter to Senate leadership today urging them to bring the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 to the Senate floor as soon as possible.

“This is one piece of legislation upon which all Americans depend, urban as well as rural,” stated the letter. “With limited time remaining before the expiration of current program authorities, time is of the essence.” Some of the 2008 Farm Bill provisions have already expired, but most of the bill expires Sept. 30, 2012.

"Last week, Chairwoman Stabenow, Ranking Member Roberts and the entire Senate Agriculture Committee took a huge step forward in advancing this key legislation for America’s farmers. We commend them for their work and we look to the Senate to keep the progress moving by bringing the bill to the floor," said American Soybean Association President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb. 

The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012passed the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on April 26 by a 16-5 vote. Several major farm organizations and commodity groups signed the letter, with the exception of organizations representing rice, peanuts and cotton.

“This strongly bipartisan bill ensures that agriculture does its part to reduce the deficit, cutting spending by $23 billion, while still maintaining a safety net that family farmers and ranchers need,” said NFU President Roger Johnson.

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For a copy of the letter, click here: http://bit.ly/IyBdZQ

 

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