| 11/13/2003 Senate Approves Agricultural Appropriations - 11/7 Agriculture Law Text of the bill (H.R. 2673) and report (108-107) may be found on http://thomas.loc.gov/. Congress Daily reported final passage was preceded by a "struggle" over food labeling. The Senate approved the so-called country of origin labeling provision, rejecting a provision in the House version that would halt implementation of the COOL program for red meat for one year.The language supporting continued implementation of mandatory country-of-origin labeling was contained in an amendment offered by Senate Minority Leader Daschle (D-SD) and Sens. Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Michael Enzi (R-WY). The Senate voted 58-36 on a motion not to table the amendment, then passed the amendment on a voice vote.Some features of the bill:--$988.8 million for Farm Service Agency Salaries and Expenses, an increase of $18.4 million over the fiscal year 2003 level. --$3.3 billion for farm loans, $663,585 less than the fiscal year 2003 level. Included in this amount is $1.1 billion for farm ownership direct and guaranteed loans and $2.1 billion for farm operating direct and guaranteed loans. For the Food Safety and Inspection Service , $783.8 million, a $28.9 million increase from the fiscal year 2003 level. -Agricultural research and extension programs are decreased $174 million from the fiscal year 2003 funding levels. Appropriations recommended for the Agricultural Research Service total $1.1 billion. For the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, $1.1 billion is recommended, including $619 million for research and education activities, $450 million for extension activities, and $46.7 million for integrated activities. --Recommended funding for conservation operations of the Natural Resources Conservation Service is $826.6 million. Watershed and flood prevention operations are funded at $55 million. Watershed surveys and planning is funded at $10 million. The watershed rehabilitation program is funded at $29.8 million. The resource conservation and development program is funded at $51 million. An amendment to prohibit USDA from using any appropriations to approve downed animals for human consumption was passed as was one to limit spending on the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) to $300,000. The downed animal amendment was linked to animals that may be dying from infectious diseases and that present the potential the disease may be spread. Of special concern was bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). EQIP payments would be limited to an aggregate of $300,000 for all contrqcts involving an individual, entity or agricultural operation during fiscal years 2002-07. Related Link: http://www.agriculturelaw.com |
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