WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 2419, the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 - otherwise known as the “Farm Bill." This bipartisan legislation would make a critical investment in agricultural and nutrition programs to help American families cope with the rising cost of food at the grocery store. H.R. 2419 would also help strengthen conservation efforts to improve water and air quality nationwide. The legislation passed the House with a veto-proof vote of 318-106.
“This bipartisan Farm Bill will help promote nutrition and enhance food access at home and abroad," said Chairman Rangel. “This bill makes vital improvements to the food stamp and other nutrition programs to help millions of American families cope with the rising cost of food at the grocery store. The Farm Bill also helps protect our natural resources and safeguard the water we drink and air we breathe to improve the quality of life in our cities and towns."
“I am particularly proud to support this legislation because of the assistance it would provide to New York dairy farmers who are struggling with the fluctuating cost of feed," continued Chairman Rangel." “Dairy farmers are the backbone of New York’s agricultural economy and this bill provides these family farmers with the economic security they need to keep their businesses growing."
H.R. 2419 would also extend important trade preferences for Haiti and the Caribbean Basin aimed at fighting poverty and hunger and strengthening economic ties between the U.S. and the region. The provisions were championed by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), a long-time supporter of trade preferences for the Caribbean.
“The Farm Bill would also extend expiring trade preferences for Haiti to address the crisis in caused by rising food prices and persistent poverty. By extending and strengthening provisions that would soon expire, we can help give a sense of certainty to investors to continue the economic growth and development we have built in the Caribbean region, while creating new opportunities for American workers, farmers and businesses."
Brief summary of trade provisions included in the Farm Bill:
Haiti (HOPE II)
* Congress passed the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act in 2006. Currently, the use of the Act’s preference program is limited due to complex rules of origin. In fact, just 1.6% of Haiti’s apparel exports in 2007 were under the HOPE I program. As a result, the economic benefits that the preference program was intended to spread widely have not been forthcoming.
* The “HOPE II" provisions included in the Farm Bill provide additional, simplified ways for Haitian apparel to qualify for duty-free treatment in order to foster economic development. It also creates incentives to use American inputs, thereby providing new opportunities for American workers, farmers and businesses.
Two-year extension of Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI)
* The Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) provides preferences on textiles, apparel, and other goods. CBI has helped raise living standards and strengthened the economies of many Caribbean nations. The initiative has also provided benefits to American workers and businesses and strengthened the United States’ ties to important friends and allies in the region. (Note: Haiti currently exports most of its goods to the U.S. under CBTPA). However, certain CBI benefits expire on Sept. 30, 2008.
* The CBI provisions included in the Farm Bill extend the expiring provisions for two years. Like the HOPE II reforms, they will help participating Caribbean nations attract foreign investment and create new jobs.R. 2419.R. 2419.
