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Lawmakers discuss the role of climate change in the next farm bill
Lawmakers are discussing the role of USDA and farm bill programs in mitigating climate change.
House Ag Committee Ranking Member Glenn “GT” Thompson says the next farm bill needs common sense solutions. “I will not fundamentally spend our commodity, conservation and crop insurance programs to appease Washington thinktanks,” he says. “I will reject complicating our programs and making climate the focus of every title in the upcoming farm bill reauthorization.”
Chuck Conner with the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance says climate-related programs should be voluntary and incentive based. “They should advance science-based solutions and outcomes and they should promote resiliency and help rural economies to better adapt to climate change.”
Conner also serves as the President and CEO with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.
Conner says USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service needs additional funding and technical support to address climate. “FACA recommends a 10 to 20 percent increase in funding for NRCS programs to be dedicated for new and existing greenhouse gas reductions, adaptions and soil health efforts.
He says FACA also recommends increased funding for the Rural Energy for America Program and better implementation of rural broadband.
Thompson and Conner made their comments at a farm bill hearing Wednesday on the role of USDA programs in addressing climate change.