Farm Bill Reforms Will Help Family Farmers at Home and Around the World

Farm Bill Reforms Will Help Family Farmers at Home and Around the World

ONE urges Senate to make smart changes to Farm Bill by passing amendments that close loopholes and protect small farmers

For Immediate Release:
November 14, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- ONE urged the U.S. Senate today to adopt reforms to the 2007 Farm Bill that will increase protections for small, family farmers in the United States and reduce poverty and hunger abroad.  

ONE urged the Senate to support two amendments scheduled to be considered this week:

• Lugar-Lautenberg Farm Ranch Equity Stewardship and Health (FRESH) Amendment; and
• Grassley-Dorgan Payment Limits Amendment

Erin Erlenborn, ONE's Director of Government Affairs, issued the following statement:

"American farm policy reaches far beyond America's farmland. The farm bill will directly impact the lives of tens of thousands of people struggling to escape from extreme poverty in the developing world. The Senate has the chance to craft a bill that would allow us to make sure that American small farmers get the support they need, and that small farmers in the developing world are able to compete and work their way out of poverty.

"Two amendments are central to this effort. The Lugar-Lautenberg FRESH Amendment is an important reform that will invest in small farmers more effectively and bring our farm policy in line with international trade rules. The Grassley-Dorgan Payment Limits Amendment will help create a level playing field for small, family farmers by closing loopholes that in the past have skewed funding to the largest producers. Both of these amendments will not only help farmers here at home, but also will unlock the ability of small farmers in developing countries -- who comprise the majority of the world's hungry people -- to improve their livelihoods and escape poverty. ONE is also supportive of efforts to provide greater balance for cotton farmers. Heavy cotton subsidies have a devastating effect on poor cotton farmers around the world. Better balance in the subsidy program would result in greater opportunities for millions of West Africa farmers for whom cotton is their only source of income."

For more information, visit: ONE.org