[Pollinator] Final Farm Bill Conference Report Now Available On Line. Also Pollinator-Honey Bee Highlights

[R. Thomas Van Arsdall]

Farm Bill Conference Report Information on House Ag Web Site:
http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/FarmBill.html. 

Legislative Language for All 15 Titles:
http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/Legislation/110/FB/Conf/CRlang.pdf.  

Joint Statement of Managers is at
http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/Legislation/110/FB/Conf/statement_of_man
agers.pdf.  

Excerpts of pollinator-honey bee language found through quick search by
Pollinator Partnership can be accessed at
http://www.pollinator.org/farm_bill.htm.  Bottom two documents under
"Senate-House Farm Bill conference, Pollinator Provisions"-- 
* "Pollinator Excerpts from Farm Bill Conference Report Legislative
Language"
* "Pollinator Excerpts from Farm Bill Statement of Managers" (Report
Language)
* Apologies for any errors or omissions.  Wanted to get this to you quickly
as resource in forming your own opinions and conclusions.

In brief, my own quick interpretation:
* RESEARCH:  STRONG and Comprehensive Pollinator Research Section.  The
report language essentially repeats the legislative language.  Realistically
all we could have hoped, except no mandatory funding.  Legislative language
strongly reinforced by report language. Funding authorized but subject to
annual appropriations.  Efforts have already been made in FY09
appropriations process.
	* Also pollination referenced in specialty crops research
initiative, which includes mandatory funding.

* HABITAT CONSERVATION:  GOOD Pollinator Habitat Conservation Language, for
both managed and native pollinators, applying to all conservation programs,
but regrettably weakened in the waning hours from last version we saw, from
'shall' to 'may.'  However, the supporting report language providing
additional guidance to the secretary is excellent.
	* Also pollinator habitat one of factors in EQIP incentive payments,
and consideration of native and managed pollinators provided for in review
of conservation practices standards.

* HONEY BEE DISASTER ASSISTANCE:  	While P2 didn't work on this, the
bill appears to make beekeepers eligible for new disaster assistance program
in the bill, plus provides for a study on apiary insurance in the crop
insurance program.

* THE DOWN SIDE:  Unfortunately, there are other provisions in the final
package that could represent significant setbacks in efforts to promote
pollinator habitat and health.  In particular, the conferees failed to
include an effective "sodbuster" provision that would at least make
producers who plow up virgin grassland habitats ineligible for crop
insurance, etc.  As we all know, market dynamics led by record crop prices
and the development of biofuels will continue to place increasing pressures
on conservation lands and practices.

* WHAT'S NEXT?:  House Rules Committee takes up the conference report
tonight, with the bill to be taken up by the full House and Senate tomorrow.
* Once passed the conference report will be sent to the President.
* The President has announced intention to veto the bill, likely this
Friday.
* Congress is expected to try to override the veto next week [2/3 in each
chamber required].  Farm bill supporters, include the majority leadership in
the Senate and House, along with bipartisan Ag Committee leadership, will be
trying to get 2/3+ votes this Wednesday, to lay the groundwork for next
week.
* What other groups are doing:
	* Conservation, environmental and wildlife groups are struggling to
deal with the mixed bottom line--evaluating pluses and disappointments.
	* At least one major wildlife organization has come out in
opposition to the final bill.  
	* Other organizations are either neutral or supporting, believing on
balance that this is the best deal for conservation in the current
challenging environment, with the intent to work for additional reforms if
the bill becomes law.
	* If the veto is sustained, there will likely be a 1-2 year
extension of the current farm bill--no pollinator provisions, though we can
continue to work through existing programs.  Unfortunately the budget
baseline in 2 years will be even lower than for this farm bill, limiting
conservation opportunities even further.
* Pollinator Partnership is continuing to evaluate the final package.  

Stay tuned!


R. Thomas (Tom) Van Arsdall, Director, Public Affairs, Pollinator
Partnership
tva at pollinator.org
For More Information, http://www.pollinator.org 

Van Arsdall & Associates
P.O. Box 8512
Fredericksburg, VA  22404-8512
PH:  (540) 785-0949
Cell:  (703) 509-4746
tom at vanarsdall.com