Funding for agricultural research, rural development, conservation programs and nutrition was cut significantly in the proposed House Ag Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2012. The measure also includes a rider preventing implementation of the proposed GIPSA Rule. National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson wrote a letter to the House Appropriations Committee saying fiscal responsibility shouldn’t entail cutting costs to realize short-term savings that result in increased long-term expenses.

Johnson says the proposed ag spending cuts will be a serious mistake as the U.S. tries to emerge from the economic downturn. He also says the GIPSA rule is long overdue as it proposes to restore competition to the livestock and poultry marketplace. He urges Congress to ensure funding reductions are proportionate across all federal program areas – not unfairly burdening agriculture with cuts. Agriculture’s budget – under the proposed bill – will have been cut 26-percent in the past two years.