U.S. Representative Ron Kind (R – La Crosse) is teaming up with U.S. Representative Tom Petri (R – Fond du Lac) have bill that would put a cap on the amount of subsides a single producer can receive, as of now there is not limit. Petri says current subsidies encourage producers to farm on land that is marginal which leads to poor yields and environmental damage. The proposal would focus on maintaining the safety net rather than subsidizing bad farming practices.
Kind says the bill would promote efficiencies within insurance companies by ending the current 100 percent reimbursement of their operation and administration costs.
If the Farm Bill comes the full House, they would introduce their reform plan as an amendment to it. The massive farm legislation has been taken up in committee by both the House and Senate this week.
AUDIO: Rep. Kind opening statements on conference call (5:00)
