Extra! Extra!

Reader Contribution by Staff

Stop the presses! The House Agriculture Committee has passed the 2007 farm bill. In a press release issued this morning, the new bill was touted as ‘groundbreaking’ and ‘historic.’ According to the release, conservation, nutrition and renewable energy are all included, and farmers and ranchers will continue to receive assistance as well. But here’s the big news: ‘Substantial funding’ is allocated to fruit and vegetable farmers!

Everyone’s happy right? Everyone gets a slice of the pie, right? Certainly discussion will ensue as to the size of the slices, but I’ll be optimistic.

Another notable aspect is the good news regarding country of origin labeling. The committee passed language to allow mandatory labeling of meat in three categories: one that indicates the meat was born, raised and slaughtered in the United States; one that indicates it was not exclusively born, raised and slaughtered in the United States; and one to identify products that are entirely from other countries.

A quick list of the bill’s highlights is included in the release, but you can review the entire bill on the committee’s Web site. Note that the House itself still must vote on the bill, but this vote is expected before the end of July.

  • Published on Jul 23, 2007
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