Johnny Isakson, United States Senator

Johnny Isakson's Position Statement on Agriculture

Agriculture is the leading industry in Georgia’s vibrant economy. From peaches to poultry and from cotton to timber, Georgia is home to a larger variety of agricultural industries than almost any other state. I’m proud to represent such hardworking Americans and I will continue to make decisions that strengthen our agricultural economy while also protecting its legacy.

2008 Farm Bill

On June 18, 2008, the Senate voted 80 to 14 to override a Presidential veto of the conference report to the Farm Bill. I voted to override the veto and am pleased that this Farm Bill continues to provide a safety net for farmers, increases conservation programs, provides incentives for renewable energy production and establishes a permanent disaster program. It also takes significant steps to reform payment limitation qualifications for farm programs by placing non-farm and farm income caps of $500,000 and $750,000, respectively. This legislation also eliminates the “three-entity rule” and will bring more transparency to the process of distributing farm program payments. Furthermore, this Farm Bill will assist the specialty crop industry by reauthorizing $466 million in funding over the next 10 years, as well as investing $10 billion in nutrition programs, including assistance to low-income Americans and programs to promote health and nutrition among America’s children.

I commend Senator Saxby Chambliss Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee for his hard work in crafting this legislation and for making sure that we continue to meet the needs of farmers in Georgia and the Southeast. Agriculture is Georgia’s number one industry, and the 2008 Farm Bill is a win for our state and all of America.

Farm Payment Limits

I will continue to oppose any attempts to lower federal crop payments established in the 2008 Farm Bill. Lower payment limits would adversely affect many farms in Georgia and across the South, because Southern farmers tend to have larger, more costly farming operations than farmers in other parts of the country. Larger farm operations such as those in the South can reach one or more of the payment limits with fewer acres than smaller farms.

In 2005, I helped defeat an amendment to the Deficit Reduction Act that would have lowered the federal crop payments. In 2007, I spoke out against a proposed amendment, which was later withdrawn, to the Budget Resolution that also would have lowered the annual limit on federal crop payments.

Agricultural Disaster Relief

The issue of how best to administer disaster relief for our nation’s farmers has prompted intense debate in Washington. Given the recent harsh conditions, including drought, freeze, fire and disease, facing many farmers in Georgia, I will continue to monitor this debate closely and act in the best interest of Georgia. I am pleased the 2008 Farm Bill establishes a permanent disaster program.

Food-to-Fuel Mandates

I understand the frustrations of consumers and animal agriculture producers about the consequences of food-to-fuel mandates that EPA is currently implementing. The increase in corn ethanol production is one factor that is putting stress on the food market. Food inflation is rising by 4.9 percent and other studies predict that food inflation could increase by 7 to 8 percent in the next few years. I am concerned that inflationary pressure on food will only escalate in the coming months and could be further complicated by severe weather.

I have signed a letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson about the status of regulations for states applying for an ethanol mandate waiver and urged that EPA take into consideration food inflation concerns. However, I am not in favor of a repeal or roll back of ethanol mandates.

I believe America should be a leader in the development of new sources of energy and in the development of renewable resources and that corn ethanol is a good interim solution. I also believe a better long-term solution is the investment we are making in the production of cellulosic ethanol and biofuels. Georgia has 24 million acres of commercial forest, and these forests contain a large amount of cellulosic biomass in the form of wood debris, paper pulp and grass. Our state also produces almost a billion pounds of chicken fat and grease from the poultry processing industry, a key biodiesel feedstock, and at least one power plant produces electricity from chicken litter. These resources are why Georgia will play a leading role in the research and production of cellulosic ethanol and biofuels in the 21st century, and since Georgia has such an abundance of biomass and a long growing season, we will be able to keep supply constant and prices down. To that end, I am co-sponsoring S.386, the Cellulosic Ethanol Incentive Act of 2007, which promotes the production of crops that also yield cellulosic ethanol.