Dick Lugar: “Yesterday in the beginning of the debate on the farm bill conference report, much of the debate centered upon title I…”

“Yesterday in the beginning of the debate on the farm bill conference report, much of the debate centered upon title I, which is the Agricultural Market Transition Program. And, indeed, this is an extraordinarily important title for producers in this country. Senators reviewed the fact that the new farm bill will offer maximum flexibility to farmers in choosing what crops to plant and how many acres they will plant to meet market conditions in this country and in the world. Likewise, the nonrecourse marketing assistance loans will remain. They are a safety net, as well as a method of managing income and operations, for producers. Not mentioned yesterday, but clearly still in the farm bill, is a peanut program, modified somewhat during debate in both the House and the Senate, a sugar program and a milk price support and marketing order program. The Federal Dairy Export Program, the northeast dairy compact, payment limitations, commodity credit all come under this title I, the Agricultural Market Transition Program. I have no doubt, Mr. President, there will be more debate on that issue this morning. But I want to center on additional aspects of the farm bill that are extraordinarily important to all Americans.”