By U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe(R-Maine)
This month, I joined 80 of my Senate colleagues and an overwhelming majority of the U.S. House of Representatives in supporting the 2007 Farm Bill conference report that features a wide-array of reforms and programs essential to Maine and its economy. The $290 billion, five-year reauthorization includes many critical initiatives that I fought to include in the package, including more regional equity for the Northeast, food nutrition initiatives, renewable energy, and environmental programs.
But what does this long-awaited vehicle for farm policy mean for Maine and its agriculture industry? How will it counter soaring gas prices that have devastated Maine’s trucking industry while providing support to our nation’s small businesses?
After a year and a half of bipartisan efforts and compromises, the Farm Bill conference report includes many of my proposals, including a statute to close the “Enron loophole” in order to increase transparency in oil and natural gas markets to address the record-high prices we pay today, enforcement of softwood lumber restrictions, critical Small Business Administration disaster funding, substantial investments for specialty crops, and expanded eligibility for food stamps.
From truckers struggling to pay record diesel prices to families barely able to make ends meet, skyrocketing oil and gas prices have permeated every realm of society and have contributed significantly to the economic woes facing the nation today. But while the price of energy continues to devastate hard-working Americans, unscrupulous futures traders are rushing into the energy commodity markets, taking advantage of the unregulated trading policies, and making record profits.
Maine’s agricultural economy will undoubtedly benefit from the provisions in the 2007 Farm Bill. As summer approaches and crops begin to flourish, there is no better time to improve our country’s agriculture policy and support the farmers who provide for the nation’s food supply.
