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Summary:
A number of issues affecting U.S. agriculture could receive attention during the 109th Congress. Some are related to new initiatives or to unfinished legislation from the 108th Congress; others have been the focus of ongoing congressional oversight. Although the current (2002) farm bill (P.L. 107-171) generally does not expire until 2007, the agriculture committees could begin hearings on a new measure as early as 2005. The farm bill spells out the types and levels of benefits provided to producers and landowners under commodity price support and conservation programs, both of which could receive close scrutiny in the coming year as lawmakers seek ways to control federal spending. The farm bill also authorizes many other U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) activities, such as export, food aid, agricultural research, energy, rural development, and domestic nutrition programs. However, other issues of importance to agriculture could attract national attention during the 109th Congress, including concerns about agroterrorism, food safety, and animal and plant diseases (e.g., "mad cow" disease); interest in multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations; the rising cost of energy on farms; environmental issues; and a number of agricultural marketing matters. This report will be updated if significant developments ensue.
