Sam Farr: “I said at the opening of debate on this bill that I would vote against it if it was not changed to address California…”

“I said at the opening of debate on this bill that I would vote against it if it was not changed to address California agriculture's needs for conservation, research, and rural development. Nothing that has happened in the past 2 days has changed my mind. The bill is still broken. The California farmers in my district are the most productive specialty crop growers in the world. They produce over $2.5 billion worth of fresh fruits, vegetables, and horticultural crops without any Federal price supports or other direct Federal support--lettuce, artichokes, strawberries, flowers, and over 100 other crops. They have succeeded by embracing the full benefits, and potential risks, of the market. They are the models for American agriculture. And I believe American agriculture must move in their direction to remain viable into the next century. But even market-driven agriculture needs a national farm policy with a vision toward the future. Conservation, research, rural development, and market promotion are all crucial to future success and sustainability of market driven agriculture. H.R. 2854 is a broken bill because it ignores these crucial goals of American farm policy. While I do not like this bill's transition program--its too expensive and makes payments regardless of a farmer's production or the market prices, it still moves agriculture toward the market. And I can support that.”