A panel discussion is being held this week looking at the new farm bill. One of the panelists is Scott Faber, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Environmental Working Group. He says the new farm bill is a great opportunity to get payments out to farmers who need it the most.
He says there needs to be a concerted effort to get farm payments away from the wealthiest producers and to those who really need the assistance.
Faber says it’s positive that farmers who take steps to clean up the air and water are rewarded but more than a voluntary conservation effort is needed in order to solve environmental problems.
He says proof voluntary conservation efforts aren’t working is shown by the continued Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico as well as Lake Erie continuing to turn green every summer and rural wells being contaminated.
