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PETERSON AND COSTA INTRODUCE FARM BILL EXTENSION LEGISLATION

June 25, 2007

Today, Agriculture CommitteeRanking Democrat Congressman Collin C. Peterson (MN-7) and Agriculture CommitteeMember Congressman Jim Costa (CA-20) introduced a bill that would extend the2002 Farm Bill to provide certainty to farmers and to allow U.S.negotiators to focus on the ongoing Doha Development Round of World TradeOrganization negotiations.

"At a time when American farmerscontinue to face uncertainty with record high energy and input costs, naturaldisasters, low prices for some commodities and continued cuts to farm programs,this bill assures that they can count on the Farm Bill to continue in its currentform at least until we see what the Doha Round could mean for Americanagriculture," Congressman Peterson said.

The Peterson-Costa bill extends the2002 Farm Bill for one year. That would extend the Farm Bill's commoditytitle through crop year 2008 and would extend the remaining titles througheither fiscal year or calendar year 2008, depending on their current expirationdate. If the President does not submit implementing legislation based onthe outcome of the Doha Round by January 15, 2008, there would be an additionalone year extension.

"While pursuing free trade iscritical to U.S. Agriculture, it also must be fair trade. An extension of thefarm bill will both encourage our global trading partners to work toward alevel playing field and give us time to analyze the outcome of the Doha Roundbefore rewriting our own farm policy," Congressman Costa said.

The extension will provide anincentive for U.S trade negotiators to bring back the very best deal possiblefor American agriculture from those trade talks. It would ensure that the U.S.negotiators do not have to rush through the negotiating process in order todeliver a trade pact to Congress before a new Farm Bill is written.

"Extending the 2002 Farm Bill programswill allow us to write the next Farm Bill with a full understanding of theinternational trade picture to be sure that we are providing the best possiblesupport to American agriculture," Congressman Peterson said.

Joining Congressmen Peterson and Costa as originalco-sponsors on this bill are Representatives John Salazar (CO-3), Tim Holden(PA-17), G.K. Butterfield (NC-1), Bob Etheridge (NC-2), Stephanie Herseth(SD-AL), Joe Baca (CA-43), David Scott (GA-13), Mike McIntyre (NC-7), LincolnDavis (TN-4), Earl Pomeroy (ND-AL), Charlie Melancon (LA-3); Henry Cuellar(TX-28), Jim Marshall (GA-3), John Barrow (GA-12), Leonard Boswell (IA-3).