Doug LaMalfa

Congressman, First District

US House of Representatives

PRESS Release July 11, 2013

LaMalfa Comments on Passage of Farm Bill Reforms

Washington, DC – Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) today voted in favor of H.R. 2642, the revised farm bill containing reforms to federal agriculture policies and billions in spending reductions.     

“We’ve moved the ball forward toward reform of federal policies, but more work remains to be done,” said LaMalfa.

Specifically, the bill contains the following reforms:

·         Direct Payments are eliminated and no payments are made to those who don’t farm.

·         Traditional farm policy is cut by almost $23 billion – a record 36 percent reduction.

·         The bill ensures a reliable food supply and stable consumer food prices for Americans without fluctuations due to federal policy.

·         Crop insurance policies require farmers to have more skin in the game, and only provide assistance in the event of a natural disaster or market crash.

·         Prohibits EPA from implementing the unjustified and unscientific biological opinions of the National Marine Fisheries Service until there is an unbiased, scientific peer review of those opinions.

·         Requires regulatory agencies across the government to use scientifically sound information in moving forward with their regulatory initiatives.

·         Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to advocate on behalf of farmers and ranchers as other agencies move forward with regulations affecting food and fiber.

·         Eliminates duplicative reporting requirement for seed importers.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.