Agriculture Appropriations Markup Set for Thursday 

The House



Agriculture Appropriations Markup Set for Thursday 

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture has scheduled a 
markup of the 2010 agriculture appropriations bill on Thursday 
afternoon, June 11. 

As we noted earlier, the Obama Administration proposed substantial cuts 
from Farm Bill conservation programs like the Wetlands Reserve Program, 
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, and Environmental Quality 
Incentives Program. The 2008 Farm Bill included “mandatory funding” for 
these and other conservation programs that help farmers and ranchers 
improve wildlife habitat and conserve natural resources. The Obama 
Administration proposed substantial cuts from the 2010 funding levels 
agreed to for USDA conservation programs in the Farm Bill. 

HELP PROTECT FARM CONSERVATION PROGRAMS FROM CUTS 

The following are the members (and phone numbers) of the House 
Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, who will be making key 
decisions Thursday on Farm Bill conservation programs. 

Rep. Tom Latham (IA) (515) 232-2885 

The message is simple: Please protect Farm Bill conservation programs 
from cuts to the mandatory funding levels approved in the 2008 Farm 
Bill! 

Some key cuts included in the President’s proposal: 

Wetlands Reserve Program - In the 2008 Farm Bill, Congress provided for 
the enrollment of just over 3 million acres in the program by 2012, 
including about 185,000 acres per year. The Obama budget would limit 
2010 enrollment to 152,636 acres, and permanently reduce the acreage cap 
by 138,904 acres. The total cut through 2012 would be about $438 
million, according to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. 

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program - the Farm Bill provided for $85 
million in funding per year, but the Obama budget would cut that in half 
to $42 million for 2010. 

Environmental Quality Incentives Program - the Farm Bill provided for 
$1,450 million for 2010, the Obama budget would cut that to $1,200 
million. 

Farmland Protection Program - the Farm Bill provided for $150 million in 
2010. The Obama budget would cut that to $120 million. 

Healthy Forests Reserve Program - the Farm Bill provided for $9.75 
million per year, but the Obama budget would cut that to $4.75 million 
for 2010. 


Thank you all for your time & YOUR EFFORTS!
Bill Smith


      

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