PRESIDENT SIGNS 1997 AG SPENDING BILL
H.M. Harris, Jr.
Extension Ag Economist
Yesterday President Clinton signed the $53 billion 1996-97 Ag Appropriations
Bill. One important outcome of its passage is that USDA will not be subject
to continuing resolutions and potential shutdowns in the event of a rerun of
last year's nasty budget debate. Among the features of the bill:
fully funds ($5.4 billion) of market transition payments under the FAIR
Act.
requires that land receiving payments be in agricultural or conservation use
(much has been made of this stipulation, but it really corresponds to current
FSA regulations).
prohibits USDA from re-enrolling CRP acres expiring in FY 97 at current
rental rates.
reduces international food and programs slightly.
cuts EEP by $100 million.
sets new labeling requirements for fresh and frozen chicken (now chicken kept
above 26F will be "fresh", chicken below 0F will be "frozen", and chicken
stored in between will not be labeled).
maintains cooperative state research and extension funding at about the same
level as this year ($913 million).
THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE OFFERS ITS PROGRAMS
TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, SEX, RELIGION, NATIONAL
ORIGIN, OR HANDICAP AND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS--STATE OF SOUTH
CAROLINA, CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND SOUTH
CAROLINA COUNTIES COOPERATING.
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