With a proposed extension of the 2008 Farm Bill on the House floor this week, American Soybean Association (ASA) First Vice President Danny Murphy, a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss., issues the following statement on this legislation:

"The American Soybean Association believes that U.S. farmers and livestock producers need certainty in programs which help them manage risk in order to make decisions which will affect their operations over the long-term. This is particularly true today, with devastating drought conditions covering over half of the country. A one-year extension of the 2008 Farm Bill, combined with short-term disaster assistance to livestock producers, will not provide the certainty that agriculture needs now. We need a new five-year farm bill with long-term risk management and disaster assistance programs.

"ASA understands that a one-year extension of the 2008 Farm Bill may be all that can pass the House before it adjourns this week. We support moving the farm bill process forward, so that a Conference can be convened in September, when Congress returns. ASA supports a one-year extension provided there are assurances that a new five-year bill can be negotiated at that time."

ASA represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international issues of importance to the soybean industry. ASA’s advocacy efforts are made possible through voluntary membership by more than 21,000 farmers in 31 states where soybeans are grown.

###

For more information contact:

Danny Murphy, ASA First Vice President, 601-906-3809, dpmurphy@bellsouth.net
Patrick Delaney, ASA Communications Director, 202-969-7040, pdelaney@soy.org