North Dakota Representative Kevin Cramer has introduced legislation to fix the farm bill’s safety net. It calls for USDA to use Risk Management Agency or crop insurance data rather than average county yields from NASS when determining Agriculture Risk Coverage payments. North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne says it’s a step in the right direction.
He says there are many problems with the current ARC program, but Cramer’s legislation would make the payment determination more equitable.
Watne says lawmakers also need to make sure there’s enough funding available to provide a strong safety net in the farm bill.
Cramer’s bill, HR 4654, directs the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize RMA data over all forms in counties where they offer countywide insurance products, while also allowing flexibility for all other instances. North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp has offered similar legislation.
