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Although the 2002 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act was signed into law in May, AFBF President Bob Stallman is driving home the message that Congress needs to approve funding during the agriculture appropriations process in order to implement the bill's assistance programs. In addition, some legislators have threatened to reopen debate on policies that were decided in farm bill negotiations, causing further concern.

Saying "farm programs will continue to help many farm families survive" low prices and rising production costs, Stallman, joined by representatives from the Commodity Roundtable, is calling on Congress to maintain adequate funding for the programs and policies established in the new farm bill.

"It's safe to say that the distinguished group assembled here…has been less than pleased with how the new farm law has been depicted in the media," Stallman said. "It seems to us that a lot of myths have been swallowed whole, without a great deal of consideration about what alternative policies would mean for farm producers…We thank those members of Congress who saw through the myths and stood by us to pass this measure. We thank President Bush for providing the final push that was essential in enacting this farm law. All those who supported this measure did the right thing."

Changing payment limit levels and shifting already designated money toward weather disaster relief are among the issues that threaten to disrupt the funding balance achieved in farm bill negotiations. Recently, AFBF and 21 other groups asked the House Appropriations Committee to resist substantial policy changes, saying they were "concerned that any proposals to modify the policies would undermine the effectiveness of the new law." Stallman said the groups were pleased the committee approved the 2003 agriculture funding bill without changes.

"The new farm bill promotes planting flexibility, provides a strong counter-cyclical safety net and will result in even greater conservation efforts on our farms and ranches," Stallman said. "We believe the farm bill and its programs represent a balanced law that provides much needed support and stability for the bulk of America's farm families. At the same time, it's a good deal for the environment. And it's a good deal for taxpayers."

According to the House Agriculture Committee, U.S. farm policy costs each American less than 14 cents a day and accounts for little more than one-half of 1 percent of the U.S. budget. Stallman said that cost "represents a needed public investment in our nation's food, energy, environmental and economic security. At just pennies a day, it is an investment worth keeping."

Other members of the Commodity Roundtable include the American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council of America, the U.S. Rice Producers' Group and the U.S. Rice Producers Association. All voiced the need to maintain the structure of the farm bill as recently passed and signed into law. "The new farm bill provides America's farmers and ranchers a more predictable long-term farm policy," Stallman said. "We are unified here in speaking up for and defending it from whatever legislative attacks may be launched in the appropriations process or elsewhere in Congress."