Several national agriculture organizations are urging Senate leaders to refrain from supporting any legislation that resembles the disaster bill approved by the House ahead of the August recess. They say support for such a measure would detract from the larger mission of passing a long-term farm bill. According to a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell – passing the House disaster bill as a quick fix would do more harm than good to farmers and ranchers. The group states that completing a five-year farm bill would deliver assistance to eligible livestock producers nearly as quickly as a disaster bill and would provide certainty for future years. Further – the groups note the farm bill is paid for in both the House and Senate versions. The House disaster bill carries a 600-million dollar price tag – which the groups say would clearly impact funding available for long-term agriculture needs.

The letter concludes that the Senate and the House Agriculture Committee produced reform-minded, bipartisan bills that address many of the core principles the ag organizations believe are important. They say they remain committed to attempting to pass a five-year farm bill as soon as possible – including the long-term provisions it includes that would help alleviate the emergency conditions currently seen across the country.

The American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, National Milk Producers Federation, National Sunflower Association, Northarvest Bean Growers Association, United Fresh Produce Association, U.S. Canola Association, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council and Western Growers signed the letter.