The office of Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., issued the following news release:
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today voted to support the farm bill citing the many provisions valuable to Kansans.
"Notwithstanding my concerns for the commodity and crop insurance sections of this bill," Roberts said, "there are some strong, positive provisions in this conference report that will go a long way to benefit not only Kansas but also the nation. We have an agricultural tax relief package that provides targeted tax relief for farmers and ranchers, encourages significant investments in conservation, decreases our reliance on foreign energy, and invests in rural communities. There are also significant investments in livestock, research, energy, conservation, telecommunications and nutrition programs."
Senator Roberts fought hard for the following provisions key to his support of the bill:
* Temporary Tax Relief for Kiowa County and surrounding areas as a result of Presidential Disaster Declarations due to the Greensburg tornado and related storms.
* Allows for the implementation of Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) in a way that does not require additional burdensome paperwork on producers and Kansas' $6 billion beef industry.
* Protects competition in the marketplace so that producers will be able to market their livestock as they see fit.
* Creates a mechanism for state inspected meat processors to ship their products across state lines.
* Increased funding for EQIP by $2.4 billion.
* Language allowing the Department of Homeland Security to continue plans to build a new National Bio and AgroDefense Facility (NBAF). The research that will be conducted at this facility will be crucial in protecting livestock and commodity industries, human health, and the overall health of the nation's economy.
* Corrections for an inequity in the tax code that harms retired and disabled farmers when they receive Conservation Reserve Program payments.
* Help for agriculture businesses to manage the growing costs of securing agriculture pesticides and fertilizers. Senator Roberts has introduced legislation similar to this provision.
* Allows producers to make additional contributions to Social Security to ensure that they are eligible to receive benefits.
* Provides landowners who incur expenses for protecting an endangered species or the habitat of an endangered species, a permanent tax deduction.
* Establishes a new, temporary production tax credit for up to $1.01 per gallon, available through 2012 to encourage the production of cellulosic ethanol.
* Establishes new renewable energy programs that assist producers in installing wind turbines and other energy efficiency devices on their operations to help meet rising energy costs.
* Expands USDA Rural Development grant and loan guarantee programs that benefit bio-refineries. This will help bring forth the next generation of renewable fuel technology.
* Establishes a program to assist producers in raising cellulosic feedstocks to be used in ethanol production.
* Reforms to the Rural Utilities Service's (RUS) broadband loan program to bring broadband Internet to more Americans.
* Provides federal funding for Open Fields programs that benefit outdoor sports and recreation. Senator Roberts previously introduced legislation this provision is based upon.
* Encourages school children to eat more whole grain foods.
* Increases access to food and nutrition programs to help struggling families meet rising food costs.
Senator Roberts is a senior member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and is a member of the Senate Committee on Finance.
The farm bill now goes to the President's desk to be signed into law or vetoed.Contact: Sarah Ross Little and Molly Mueller, 202/224-4774.
Sarah Ross Little and Molly Mueller, 202/224-4774.
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