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Senate farm bill hearings begin

The U.S. Senate Ag Committee has begun the official farm bill hearing process.

The hearing, which began Wednesday morning took testimony on the trade and horticulture titles of the farm bill.  Ranking Member John Boozman says it is important to understand the current environment, with the consumer price index at 6.5% and annual inflation at 8%.  He says in the farm sector, this was seen in record-high production expenses including fertilizer, fuel, labor, land, taxes, interest, and feed costs among others. 

Boozman says the farm bill contains several programs intended to assist with trade promotion activities, but trade only works if trading partners live up to the agreements they sign. He says the proposed Mexican ban on genetically modified corn is an example of where trading partners must be held accountable.