March 11, 2019
The Trump administration released its fiscal year 2020 budget, “A Budget for a Better America: Promises Kept. Taxpayers First,” on March 11.
“President Trump’s budget is fiscally conservative and lays out a vision for an accountable federal government that cuts spending,” said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. “With our national debt soaring to over $22 trillion, we can no longer kick the can down the road. The time to act is now and USDA will actively do its part in reducing federal spending. We are stewards of other people’s money and must be diligent in spending it more carefully than we would our own when it comes to delivering our programs. At the same time, we will maintain a safety net for farmers, ranchers, foresters, producers, and people who need assistance in feeding their families.”
Related: Trump’s latest budget cuts EPA, agriculture and transportation
The budget proposal cuts federal food and farm programs by about 10% compared to fiscal year 2019 enacted levels, according to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
Programs impacted by the cuts include:
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education,
Food Safety Outreach,
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program, which is eliminated,
Conservation Technical Assistance.
Other proposals:
The budget reintroduces the Harvest Box concept, back from the 2019 proposed budget.
Includes $25 million for the controversial plan to relocate the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture outside of the nation’s capital.
Recommends an increase of $75 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative and an additional $100 million to address aging research infrastructure.
Elimination of the Conservation Stewardship Program.
Cuts the average premium subsidy for crop insurance from 62% to 48%.
The Supporters of Agricultural Research Foundation praised the increased funding for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
“With this increase, our nation’s scientists would have the resources they need to conduct research that builds thriving farms and a healthier nation,” said Thomas Grumbly, President of the SoAR Foundation.
Others didn’t find anything to praise in the proposal.
“There is a very clear disconnect between President Trump’s priorities and the economic realities facing family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Despite the rapid decline in the farm economy, additional damages from self-inflicted trade disruptions, increasing demand for credit, overloaded farm hotlines, and deteriorating infrastructure in rural communities, the White House today called for significant cuts to the one department tasked with serving farm families, rural residents and those struggling with food insecurity,” said National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson. “For three years now, President Trump has been calling for cuts to important programs within USDA. Yet for the third straight year, a majority of American farmers and ranchers are expected to lose money farming.”
Source: National Farmers Union, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, USDA, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.
You May Also Like