A dozen agricultural organizations recently sent a letter to the U.S. House Agriculture Committee urging members to continue the federal crop insurance program.
Advocacy organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, are highlighting the need for a stronger safety net for farmers.
“Federal crop insurance provides an effective risk management tool to farmers and ranchers when they are facing losses beyond their control,” the letter stated. “It reduces taxpayer risk exposure; it makes hedging possible to help mitigate market volatility; and it provides lenders with greater certainty that loans made to producers will be repaid.”
The House Agriculture Committee is preparing to make recommendations for a vote before the 2012 Farm Bill reaches the House floor.