Our thanks to Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, who offered an amendment to re-link conservation compliance with crop insurance, saving taxpayer dollars by ensuring that to get subsidized crop insurance farmers would again be required to protect wetlands and use soil conservation plans on grassland converted to cropland. Unfortunately the amendment was withdrawn and did not become part of the bill the full House voted on. Rep. Fortenberry also offered a successful amendment to cap commodity payments at $250,000 per farm and close loopholes in current law. The House failed to approve an amendment by Rep. Blumenaur to require that 20% of Conservation Reserve Program funds be used for Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program contracts, which are high-priority practices like buffer strips, shelter belts, and targeted wildlife habitat. The amendment failed 179-242; Nebraska Rep. Fortenberry voted for it, Reps. Adrian Smith and Lee Terry voted against it.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 18:00:28 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015