KLA: President Approves Farm Bill Extension
04/21/2008 08:51AM
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The 2002 Farm Bill officially has been extended one week. The new deadline is April 25. President Bush signed the extension late Friday (4/18) night, following requests by the House and Senate earlier in the week.
Conferees still are unable to agree on how to fund the bill. The conference committee is expected to reconvene tomorrow to continue discussions. Not passing the legislation prior to the new deadline could result in an 18- month to two-year extension of the 2002 Farm Bill. Even if a bill is passed during the one-week time period, another short-term extension would be required to allow the House and Senate Ag Committee staff to incorporate the changes and prepare the bill for a vote by Congress. This could take up to two weeks.
KLA and NCBA continue to actively monitor Farm Bill discussions. Efforts are being focused on maintaining the country-of-origin labeling compromise, removing the ban on packer ownership and other harmful provisions from the Livestock Title and adequately funding conservation programs.