Schumer: Just-Released Farm Bill Report Includes Major Victories for Upstate NY Dairy, Fruit, Vegetable Famers & More - Calls on Colleagues to Swiftly Pass Bill

Press Release

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed the details of the just-released Farm Bill conference report, outlined how they benefit key Upstate New York industries, and urged his colleagues in the Senate and House to pass the final bill as quickly as possible. On a conference call, Schumer detailed several major areas in which the farm bill will be a major boost to fruit and vegetable farmers, dairy producers, maple tappers, farmers markets and other New York businesses, like Hickey Freeman. In particular, Schumer said that grant programs and changes to the way farmers create and purchase insurance will be especially helpful to New York farmers, creating insurance products for crops where none before existed. Schumer also announced that two of his top legislative priorities for the Farm Bill have been included in the conference report: the Wool Trust Fund and the Maple Tap Act, now known as the Acer Access and Development Program.

Schumer said that the conference report of the bill reflects the vast majority of priorities he has pushed for on behalf of New York farmers, and that on balance it should be passed -- and passed swiftly -- to give New York's agricultural industry a huge shot in the arm. The report, which has already been agreed to by key representatives from the Senate and House of Representatives, could be ready for voting on the floor of the House of Representatives as soon as Wednesday. Schumer was joined by New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton who is supportive of the report language.

"After over a year of fits and starts -- and indeed some false starts -- the Farm Bill is again gaining momentum with the release of the conference report, which includes important compromises that should propel this bill across the finish line. Ensuring the Farm Bill's passage is of the utmost importance to New York, because it maintains or grows scores of programs for Upstate New York dairy, fruit and vegetable farmers, maple syrup producers and even New York jewels like Hickey Freeman. While the bill does not contain everything that we fought for, it is ultimately a win for the farmers that are the heart of Upstate New York: it will not only pay large dividends down the road, but also delivers immediate certainty for our farmers at a time that they need it"

"This is an important moment for every farmer in New York. They have long advocated for a sensible Farm Bill that offers an improved safety net for the state's diverse agricultural community. New York Farm Bureau greatly appreciates the efforts of Senator Schumer to make a new Farm Bill a reality, " said Dean Norton, New York Farm Bureau President.

Given the challenging budget environment, the programs detailed by Senator Schumer in the conference call were all subject to potentially devastating cuts in this year's farm bill. Schumer noted that he strongly disagrees with the cuts being made to the SNAP program, and fought hard during the negotiations to avoid cuts to this program, which hundreds of thousands of families rely on. Schumer will fight to undo these SNAP cuts in the near future. However, the conference report contains robust levels for key programs that New York farmers rely upon. Schumer outlined specific measures included in the conference report that would help the Upstate agricultural industry, dairy industry, and in general, spur business growth.

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