In the US, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance has joined a coalition of 39 of the nation’s foremost agricultural organisations to raise public awareness of the need for Congress to pass a new, comprehensive, five-year farm bill before current farm programmes expire in September.
The coalition, called Farm Bill Now, comprises associations and coalitions representing commodity crops, livestock, dairy, specialty crops, state and local governments, minor crops, energy and bio-based product groups, farm cooperatives and financial groups, as well as the nation’s two largest farm groups, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union.
The group issued a statement titled 'Why We Need a Farm Bill' on the importance of new farm legislation for America’s farmers, pointing out its impact on jobs, research and future food provision for a growing population.
In addition to the statement, Farm Bill Now launched an interactive web portal at www.FarmBillNow.com, through which visitors can connect with their members of Congress and show their support for a new five-year farm bill.
On the morning of September 12, coalition representatives will gather at the US Capitol to encourage Congress to pass the bill before programmes expire.
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