A Congressional Budget Office report says farm spending is projected to increase $ 1 billion this year. That increase likely stems from payments triggered by low commodity prices. That report is disturbing to the Environmental Working Group. Their Ag Policy Director Colin O’Neil says that’s a huge increase in spending that’s higher than what Congress had thought it would be when they passed the farm bill two years ago.

He says there needs to be a reasonable farm safety net in place with the proper incentives.

O’Neil says there are many groups and individuals who think that starting discussions soon on the new farm bill is a good idea.

The CBO report also noted that farm spending is likely to rise to $ 19 billion in 2017 and 2018..