The Senate is in the process of considering amendments to its version of the farm bill, including one to restrict checkoff programs.
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker says the checkoff programs only represent the interests of a small number of farmers.
“That’s what the amendment would do: prohibit prohibit conflicts of interest, require more transparency, mandate that the USDA publish budgets and expenditures that the USDA approves,” he says. “The amendment would prohibit anti-competitive behavior.”
Also commenting on checkoff programs, North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp, said it’s critical that they function as intended.
Continue reading Senators introduce amendment to restrict checkoff programs at Brownfield Ag News.
