Reducing Regs Would Benefit Low-Income Households & Farmers

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Reducing Regs Would Benefit Low-Income Households & Farmers
Craig Gundersen, Agricultural Economist - University of Illinois

The Senate Ag Committee Thursday (today/yesterday) held a hearing on USDA’s food and nutrition programs and how they relate to the farm bill. On that subject, Todd Gleason reports, a University of Illinois agricultural economist thinks the divide between farmers and those using SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program sometimes called food stamps, should probably close ranks around a couple of issues, including governmental regulations.

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The U of I’s Craig Gundersen says there’s plenty of common ground for farmers and low-income households to plow and it all involves back pocket issues.

Gundersen :35 …would have a huge benefit for low-income households.

Quote Summary - One of the keys ways that we can eliminate food security in the United States is to make sure food prices are low. Low food prices are extraordinarily important. Any barrier preventing food prices from being low should be removed. This is whether it is unnecessary restrictions on where grocery stores can locate, or whether it be on unnecessary restrictions on farmers abilities to use GMO’s. All these things that would eliminate restrictions that would impose burdens on farmers and the agriculture industry would have a huge benefit for low-income households.

Eliminating unnecessary regulations is just one issue where farmers and SNAP users might agree. Open trade, says Gundersen, should be another.

Gundersen :34 …both for farmers and for consumers.

Quote Summary - Free trade benefits farmers across our country. This is whether it be soybean farmers in Illinois or other farmers across the country. We really need free trade. That benefits farmers, of course. In addition, though, free trade has huge benefits for low-income households in the United States. We know limitations on free trade will raise prices of food, and other goods. Let us promote free trade rather than to put restrictions on it and that will have benefits both for farmers and for consumers.

The farm bill debate is underway in Washington, D.C. and around the nation. About eighty-percent of USDA’s budget is wrapped up in food and nutrition programs.