Greening the Farm Bill: how the budget deficit and the health crisis can support green policy

Un article consacré à la re-négociation du Farm Bill américain et à ses implications en termes économiques, sociaux et environnementaux.

Points clés :

A CHANCE FOR REFORM
The Farm Bill, the single piece of legislation governing farm policy, agricultural conservation, and nutrition aid in the U.S. is due for renegotiation in 2012. For the first time, the future of direct subsidy payments to commodity producers is being challenged.

NEW CRISES: THE BUDGET AND HEALTH
Potential reform of the Farm Bill is due in part to the budget crisis and the bipartisan push to reduce the deficit. It is also a function of health concerns and obesity crisis.

CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD?
While changes to the Farm Bill could reduce the economic, social, and environmental inefficiencies of the bill, it is possible that inefficient subsidies to commodity producers could continue under programs of a different name. In addition, conservation programs may be at risk if not properly constructed and integrated within the bill.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE
Passage of the Farm Bill is highly uncertain this year due to immanent political constraints regarding the budget and the fiscal deficit. This could result in a one-year extension of the current bill. Whenever the Farm Bill does pass, it is likely to significantly differ from its previous form.