Jun. 16—WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman August Pfluger on Friday submitted his priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill on behalf of agriculture producers in the 11th District of Texas.
"The 11th District of Texas is one of the most abundant suppliers of agriculture resources in the United States. Farmers and ranchers in our district and across the country deserve a Farm Bill that allows them to keep producing the food and fiber our country needs to survive," Pfluger said in a news release.
Pfluger's top 3 priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill
— Including Disaster Programs in the 2023 Farm Bill
— Increase the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage (ARC/PLC) Reference Prices
— Extend the Feral Hog Program and Include Additional Predation Legislation for Wolves and Birds of Prey
Title I (Commodity Programs)
— Increase the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage (ARC/PLC) Reference Price
Since 2018, cotton costs of production have increased by 24 percent.
When converted to a seed cotton basis, the reference price of 36.7 cents falls well short of the current costs.
The statutory seed cotton reference price in the commodity safety net programs (ARC/PLC) should be increased to better reflect current costs of production.
Base Title 1 payments on historic, rather than planted, acres.
— Improve Access to the Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX)
Growers enrolled in the ARC/PLC programs are currently limited in their access to crop insurance products due to a prohibition on the purchase of the Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) on the enrolled farms.
The 2023 Farm Bill should enhance cotton's safety net by eliminating the prohibition on simultaneous enrollment in STAX and PLC.
Growers who do not have seed cotton base or choose to forego enrollment in the seed cotton ARC/PLC program should have the opportunity to purchase STAX coverage at the 95% level.
— Disaster Assistance
Currently, disaster assistance, such as WHIP+/ERP, are a lifeline for farmers and ranchers dealing with extreme weather conditions.
However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to extend these programs and get them implemented in a timely matter for producers.
The 2023 Farm Bill should make disaster programs more palatable and streamlined while working in tandem with current crop insurance programs.
Maintain the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund, the Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund, and the Wool Research and Promotion Program.
These programs represent a collaborative effort of domestic growers and producers of raw Pima cotton and wool, as well as domestic manufacturers of wool and cotton yarns, fabrics, and apparel. They respond to various tariff and trade policies that have disadvantaged these important American agricultural and industrial sectors and are essential to placing them on a more level playing field against foreign competitors. They also maintain essential domestic capabilities in a highly globalized supply chain, which has significant implications for national security and health care preparedness.