This just in, the U.S. Senate has passed the newest version of the Farm Bill. Why should hunters, anglers, and outdoorsmen care? Because there are quite a few very important programs to enhance our natural resources, like the Conservation Reserve Program, Open Fields, Wetlands Reserve Program, etc.
In a close 52-47 vote, the 2012 Farm Bill has taken the next step to become law, with the House of Representatives set to tackle the bill next.
“Waiting only increases budget pressures, while rural landscapes continue to be diminished and fish and wildlife populations and the economies they support suffer,” said Jennifer Mock Schaeffer, Farm Bill coordinator for the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “The Farm Bill has helped conserve and enhance millions of acres of fish and game habitat, and we urge the House to follow the Senate’s lead and finalize its version of the bill without delay.”
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership did note in their release that three sportsmen’s bills were not included in the Senate version of the bill. The TRCP had come out in support of those bills. But, don’t be fooled, this is still a great win for sportsmen. Lets hope it moves quickly through the house.
For more on the Farm Bill, check out the TRCP’s Agriculture issues page. –Brian McClintock
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