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Jun 20, 2013
The American Soybean Association (ASA) voiced its extreme disappointment and frustration this afternoon following a vote by the House of Representatives to reject the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013. With a vote of 195 to 234, the farm bill failed to pass the House following two days of debate. ASA President Danny Murphy, a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss, issued the following statement on today’s development:
“Today’s failure leaves the entire food and agriculture sector in the lurch. Once again, the nation’s soybean farmers and the 23 million Americans whose jobs depend on agriculture are left holding the bag.
“This bill would have reinforced the farm safety net, promoted our products in foreign markets, strengthened the fast-growing biodiesel industry, enhanced conservation programs; not to mention the stable, affordable and safe supply of food, feed, fiber and fuel that it would have ensured for all Americans; all while addressing our collective fiscal and budgetary obligations. Now, none of those benefits can be realized and a debilitating uncertainty extends from farmers to consumers as we all face the expiration of farm bill programs on Sept. 30.
“It is incumbent on both Republicans and Democrats to find a way forward for American agriculture.”
