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Despite Commodity Reform Failure, Final Farm Bill Includes
Key Livestock and Consumer Provisions

President Should Sign Farm Bill with Food Safety, Livestock Reforms

Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter

WASHINGTON –– The Farm Bill finalized by the conferees today leaves the broken commodity programs in place but does include several important provisions that should be preserved in any conference report. Food & Water Watch and many others are disappointed by the limited structural reforms in the bill, especially over the commodity programs. Congress should have established farmer–owned and government crop reserves to help flatten out volatile grain and cereal prices in times of a world food crisis.

The legislation nonetheless contains several important measures that warrant a presidential signature at this late date in the process, including increased support for organic production, fruit and vegetable producers, local food projects, and nutrition programs.

It also includes groundbreaking livestock reforms that put independent livestock producers on a more even footing with the giant meatpackers and processors that dominate the industry. The livestock measures begin to tackle the widespread use of unfair contract practices.  

The legislation addresses several important consumer issues. The bill reaffirms the country of origin labeling (COOL) rules developed during the House Farm Bill process.  In September 2008, for the first time consumers will be able to know where produce was grown and livestock was born and raised. The new country–of–origin labeling requirements will give consumers much-needed information after a year of import safety scares. The bill also allows for the interstate–shipment of state–inspected meat by correcting glaring food safety loopholes in the House version.

Despite the limited farm policy reforms, President Bush should sign the Farm Bill when it comes to his desk and the Department of Agriculture must swiftly write, implement and fund the new regulations governing consumer safety and livestock competition.