Although he is relieved Congress took action to prevent a spike in the price of dairy and other commodities by extending the 2008 Farm Bill, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he is “disappointed that Congress has been unable to pass a multi-year reauthorization of the Food, Farm and Jobs bill to give rural America the long-term certainty they need and deserve.”
Vilsack reports that he will continue to work with Congress to “encourage passage of a reauthorized bill that includes a strong and defensible safety net for producers, expanded rural economic opportunity in the new bio-based economy, significant support for conserving our natural resources, increased commitment to important research and support for safe and nutritious food for all Americans.”
By voting to extend the 2008 Farm Bill, Congress prevented the nation from going back to a 1949 farm law, which some experts said could have meant higher prices on dairy products.
The extension for the 2008 Farm Bill, which expired several months ago, will allow lawmakers to work until September to come up with a full five-year farm bill.