Senate Passes Farm Bill

From the National Wildlife Federation.

The U.S. Senate today passed by a vote of 68-32 a new five-year farm bill that prioritizes the conservation of our nation’s wildlife, water and soil. The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Obama imminently, clearing the last hurdle in a drawn out battle that has taken more than two years.

Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

“With so many competing interests, it is a huge victory for wildlife that the conservation of our nation’s natural resources was prioritized and included in the final bill. By re-linking conservation compliance to crop insurance, funding key conservation programs, and including a sodsaver provision in key states to protect grasslands, this bill will help wildlife from across our prairies to our oceans.

“We congratulate the Agriculture Committee leaders on forging a bipartisan bill that will serve the interests of wildlife and farmers. We are especially pleased that this bill includes a provision requiring those receiving crop insurance subsidies to control soil erosion and refrain from draining wetlands.  This provides some payback to the taxpayers for their support and will go a long way toward providing vital wildlife habitat and keeping our streams, rivers and oceans clean.”