Ducks Unlimited has invested a significant amount of time and effort on the farm bill over the last year as one of our top policy priorities. There is a crisis in the Prairie Pothole Region from rapid loss of wetland and grassland habitats from land conversion to agriculture and other uses. It is vital that we do everything we can to ensure national agriculture policy provides a safety net for our natural resources, as well as our farmers and ranchers. The recently passed Senate farm bill accomplishes both of those objectives.
While DU advocated for a stronger conservation title than what is presently in the House farm bill, it is crucial for the House to pass a five-year bill. Once both houses of Congress have passed a 2013 Farm Bill, the two bills will be brought into conference to reconcile the differences. DU and the rest of the conservation community will have the opportunity to advocate for a stronger conservation title during this process.