Issue 28
April 2000

Abridged legislative calendar will limit farm policy debate

An abridged legislative calendar because of election year campaigning—there are 132 working days in Congress this year versus the usual 211 days—will probably limit farm policy legislation this year to crop insurance reform and more ad hoc assistance to offset the likelihood of poor commodity prices, according to Mechel Paggi, director of the Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture.

Paggi discussed the future of domestic farm policy during a session of the National Wheat Industry Research Forum, held during the Wheat Industry Conference and Expo in Las Vegas. 

The Commission was established in the 1996 Farm Bill to review current farm policy and recommend policy options for federal lawmakers to consider when current legislation is scheduled to expire in 2002.  Blended into the commission's recommendations, scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, will be views of the commissioners (appointed by Congress and the Administration, consisting mostly of farmers) insight from the public, and "a sense of congressional interest."

"One does not want to present a plan that's off the radar screen on the Hill," Paggi said. The commission is still seeking public input.  More information about the Commission may be found on its website, www.agcommission.org