Farm Bill

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international relief and development organization of the US Catholic Community. In Congress, the organization is working with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, and Catholic Charities USA to support policies within the 2007 Farm Bill that address rural poverty, expand domestic anti-hunger programs, promote conservation and good stewardship of the land, target price supports to small and mid-sized farmers, ensure safe living and working conditions for farmworkers, and provide food aid efficiently and effectively to hungry people worldwide.

The Farm Bill defines international and domestic U.S. food and agricultural policy over several years. Much of the policy focuses on farming in the United States. However, important provisions in the Farm Bill address how the United States provides food to assist people in need worldwide not only during emergencies such as war and drought but also as a tool for long-term development such as using food to promote education, health or agriculture.

The current Farm Bill will be re-authorized because it expires at the end of September 2007. The House Agriculture Committee is scheduled to consider the new Farm Bill shortly. The Senate’s schedule is unclear at this time but Congress is expected to work on the bill throughout the summer and final passage to occur sometime before the end of September.

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