Peterson Releases His Farm Bill Mark-up

July 13, 2007 - The American Sheep Industry Association reviewed a copy of the House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson's (Minn.) Farm Bill draft earlier this week. The reauthorization of the Loan Deficiency Program for Wool and Unshorn Pelts was included in the mark-up; however, the base loan rate was listed as $1.10 per pound. The $1.10 loan rate is an increase from the rate established in the current Farm Bill which helpful to ASI?s goal of $1.20 per pound, which is supported by research to make the program work as intended.

The House Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development and Foreign Agriculture marked up its draft of the Farm Bill the first week of June. The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center was reauthorized in it through 2012 with appropriations authorized up to $10 million per year. ASI is seeking mandatory spending in the legislation so upon finalization of the Farm Bill, funds are readily available and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will set up the board.

Peterson told members to anticipate a full House committee mark-up from July 17 through July 19, and he informed them that his plan was to bring the committee-reported bill to the House floor on July 26.
Staff contact: Peter Orwick, ext. 33

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