Public Comment Period on Farm Bill

Posted by on June 17, 2005

[posted from Community Food Security Coalition listserv]

Johanns Announces First USDA Farm Bill Forum and Topics for Public Comment

PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND AND TO CALL IN FROM ACROSS THE NATION

July 7, 2005
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Nashville, Tennessee (RFD-TV Northstar Studios)

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE NEEDS TO BE WELL REPRESENTED HERE!

Topics for the Forum are listed below.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING.

Thanks!

Pam Browning
Policy Coordinator
National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture
110 Maryland Avenue, Suite 306
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-544-5466
pam@sustainableagriculture.net

PRESS RELEASE (<a href="http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome">http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome</a>)
The public will be invited to provide comments on six specific questions based on these policy considerations:

1. How should farm policy be designed to maximize U.S. competitiveness and our country’s ability to effectively compete in global markets?

2. How should farm policy address any unintended consequences and ensure that such consequences do not discourage new farmers and the next generation of farmers from entering production agriculture?

3. How should farm policy be designed to effectively and fairly distribute assistance to producers?

4. How can farm policy best achieve conservation and environmental goals?

5. How can Federal rural and farm programs provide effective assistance in rural areas?

6. How should agricultural product development, marketing and research-related issues be addressed in the next farm bill?

Notice of these questions will be published in the June 17, 2005 Federal Register. Comments will be accepted at public forums and may also be submitted electronically via the Internet at the USDA home page (<a href="http://www.usda.gov">http://www.usda.gov</a>) by selecting "Farm Bill Forums," by email to FarmBill@usda.gov or by mail to Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, Farm Bill, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3355.

USDA WILL REVIEW THE PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED BY DECEMBER 30, 2005, INCLUDING ANY ANALYSES, REPORTS, STUDIES AND OTHER MATERIAL SUBMITTED WITH THE COMMENTS, THAT ADDRESS THE SIX QUESTIONS.