The U.S. House Agriculture Committee began work Wednesday on a five year farm bill. Taylorville Republican Rodney Davis introduced an amendment to give the U.S. Department of Agriculture more say in any changes introduced by the Environmental Protection Agency that affect agriculture.
Davis says the proposal requires the USDA and EPA to form a review panel where recommendations and advice from farmers would be considered.
“We need USDA at the table. This is the agency that has the expertise and relationship within the farm community. We have seen more and more regs come out of EPA that effect on-farm operations, and it’s time these two agencies begin to work more closely.”
The House’s version of the new Farm Bill includes cuts to the $80 billion dollar-a-year food stamp program. Davis supports the cuts, saying states need to have more flexibility to invest in job training programs, so that fewer people are forced to turn to food stamps for assistance.