(
The
bill will expand food security programs, protect our vital natural resources,
promote healthier foods and local food networks, and reform commodity and
biofuel programs to reflect the priorities of the nation.
Final
language will be available next week. Initial details include the following:
Ensuring
Food Security
•
Nutrition programs increased by $10.361 billion with appropriate benefit
increases that are indexed to the cost of living
•
Vital assistance to food banks increased by $1.25 billion
•
New funding boosts organic agriculture, fruit and vegetable programs, and
local food networks
•
Country-of-origin labeling for meat and produce made mandatory
Promoting
Homegrown Renewable Energy
•
Provides $1.1 billion to fund programs what will help the renewable energy
industry invest in new technologies that use a variety of sources beyond feed
grains.
•
Corn ethanol tax credit reduced and redirected to incentives for cellulosic
ethanol
•
Creates a loan guarantee program and a program to encourage and develop
production of dedicated energy crops
•
Bioenergy research increased and renewable energy programs expanded
Reforming
Farm Programs
•
Farm program safety net extended and modernized, with an updated adjusted
gross income means test for commodity programs
•
Farm and conservation program transparency increased, with direct attribution
of payments and the ending of practices that result in multiple payment
eligibility
•
Crop insurance reformed to prevent windfall reimbursements to crop insurance
companies
•
Budgeted standing disaster assistance program for crops stricken by
catastrophic natural disasters such as drought and flood
Protecting the Environment
•
Conservation program spending increased by $6.6 billion
•
Doubles funding for Farm and Ranchland Protection Program to protect
agricultural lands from urban and suburban development pressure
•
Increases funding for Environmental Quality Incentives Program and
Conservation Stewardship Program to enhance and protect our natural resources
•
Continues funding for Grassland Reserve and Wetlands Reserve programs
•
Creates an Open Fields Program to encourage public access to private land for
hunting and fishing as well as a
Strengthening
International Food Aid
•
Provides $60 million to purchase food overseas to feed people in need on top
of the existing Food for Peace international aid program, along with an
evaluation of this change and its effect on
•
Reauthorizes the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child
Nutrition Program for infant, child, and school nutrition programs in
underdeveloped countries and provides an infusion of $84 million in additional
funding
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