Christopher Shays: “During my service in Congress, I have consistently opposed agricultural welfare programs. This Farm Bill, for the most…”

“During my service in Congress, I have consistently opposed agricultural welfare programs. This Farm Bill, for the most part, represents business-as-usual for our nation's heavily-subsidized farmers. It's unfortunate to know that at a time of such advances in every other area of our lives, our agriculture sector has all the sophistication of a Soviet commune. But there is something to smile about, because this Farm Bill contains one vital reform: the abolition of the federal peanut quota program. This program is truly a relic of the Great Depression, and today it's put on notice that its days are numbered. The General Accounting Office has found the peanut program provides substantial benefits to a small number of producers who hold most of the quota, restricts peanut production by other farmers, and increases consumer costs by between $300 million and $500 million annually. For years, I've had a hard time understanding why our government favors one group of American peanut farmers--those who own quotas--over other American farmers who don't own this privilege. This program harms so many for the benefit of such a select few.”