Earlier this week, House and Senate agriculture committee leaders
released a framework for a Farm Bill that appears to have moved
Congress a step closer to having a Farm Bill finalized by April 18,
when the current extension of the Farm Bill expires. However, the
initial reaction from several key senators and the Bush
Administration indicate there is still a long ways to go to get a
final agreement.

The framework was released by Senate Agriculture Chair Tom Harkin (D-
IA), Ranking Republican Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), House Agriculture
Chair Collin Peterson (D-MN), and Ranking Republican Bob Goodlatte (R-
VA). It calls for a $607 billion Farm Bill over ten years, which is
$10 billion over the `baseline' budget for Farm Bill programs.

For conservation, the framework would mean $4.95 billion in new
money, a cut in the Conservation Reserve Program cap to 32 million
acres (from 39.2 million acres currently), and a new Sodsaver
provision. Much of the "new money" is needed to fund programs like
the Wetlands Reserve Program and Grassland Reserve Program, which
would otherwise expire, and to restore conservation program funds cut
by Congress since the 2002 Farm Bill. The framework also includes an
additional $1 billion for the energy title.

National Wildlife Federation joined 21 other national conservation
and environmental organizations in a letter to Congressional leaders,
asking for their "strong support of the March 18, 2008, Farm
Bill "Framework's" $4.951 billion increase in new funds above
baseline for the Bill's voluntary, incentives-based conservation
programs." The letter said "while substantially more is truly needed
to address the country's conservation needs, this level of investment
is essential. Any less risks irreparable damage to our agricultural
lands and other natural resources."

However, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) quickly
issued a statement saying "this new farm bill proposal is dead on
arrival. I won't vote for or help to fund any
agreement that does not do disaster assistance right for our farmers
in need. I bet other Senators will feel the same."

Sen. Baucus was a leader in ensuring that the Senate Farm Bill
included a new $5.1 billion disaster assistance program, and said the
new framework's proposal to provide $2.2 billion for disaster
assistance "isn't good enough."

Meanwhile, Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer reiterated in a news
conference that the President won't sign a new Farm Bill that is paid
for with new taxes, or that does not include reforms in commodity
programs. "The President has said, 'If we're going to go forward with
increases in spending, they have to come with reforms.'" Schafer
said "we've identified and agreed with $6 billion worth of spending,"
and that they had outlined ways for Congress to provide $10 billion
in new funding.

An Associated Press story noted that lawmakers also have disagreed on
who has control over the legislation. Sen. Baucus and Iowa Sen.
Charles Grassley, the top Republican on the finance committee, "want
their committee to control some farm programs along with finding the
money for it. But Harkin has said his committee should have total
control over the bill." On that point, Sen. Harkin has support from
House Agriculture Committee Chair Collin Peterson, who has said he
wants the House Agriculture Committee to retain jurisdiction over the
whole Farm Bill.

Members of Congress return from recess March 31.