Illinois’ Senior Senator says time is ticking when it comes to putting farmers minds at ease when it comes to a new Farm Bill for the nation.
Democrat Dick Durbin is touring farms and talking with producers across the state. During a stop in Marion Thursday, Durbin said he was proud that the Senate was able to pass a bi-partisan Farm Bill that includes crop insurance for farmers. He says now it’s time the House does the same.
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Farming groups like the Illinois Farm Bureau say waiting until after the election to pass a comprehensive bill puts a huge amount of policy uncertainty into the equation, particularly since there will be a new Congress seated next January.
Williamson County Farmer Phil Anderson told Durbin having crop insurance helps, but it doesn’t make up for the huge losses producers will suffer this year:
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Durbin says the Crop Insurance Program is included in the Farm Bill that cleared the U.S. Senate earlier this year. But that program and one that provides food for the needy are being targeted by some for reduction in an effort to trim government spending. Some farmers who have begun harvesting say they’re getting only ten-percent of the yield they’d normally expect.
