[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 152 (Thursday, September 21, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCTION OF THE SUSTAINABLE FARMLAND FOR THE FUTURE ACT

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2017

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, the Farm Bill is one of the most 
important bills that most Americans have never heard of. It impacts our 
economy, environment, and what we eat. It is important that Congress 
gets the upcoming reauthorization right.
  Today, I am introducing the Sustainable Farmland for the Future Act. 
This bill builds upon the progress we made in the 2014 Farm Bill to 
promote the long-term sustainability of farmland and better protect the 
environment.
  In 1985, Congress enacted conservation compliance in the Farm Bill, 
codifying the compact between taxpayers, farmers, and landowners to 
provide stability through subsidies in return for responsible 
stewardship of farmland and the surrounding environment. The 1985 Farm 
Bill simply required most farm subsidy recipients to implement basic 
conservation practices on vulnerable farmland and wetlands. The 2014 
Farm Bill improved this measure by expanding the conservation compact 
to recipients of crop insurance premium subsidies. While the USDA has 
found that the current conservation compact has successfully reduced 
runoff and soil erosion, Congress must do more.
  The Sustainable Farmland for the Future Act would strengthen the 
conservation compact by requiring farmers who receive taxpayer 
assistance to abide by basic, common-sense conservation standards on 
all of their land, not just ``highly erodible land'' and converted 
wetland. By complying with these expanded standards and acting as good 
stewards, farmers will be honoring the commitment made to the taxpayers 
who provide for their farm subsidies.
  I believe that the Sustainable Farmland for the Future Act is one of 
the 115th Congress's most important pieces of environmental legislation 
and should be considered for inclusion in the 2018 Farm Bill.

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