EWG releases 2009 direct payment database
November 14, 2011 | 06:25 PM | Filed in: Subsidies
The Environmental Working Group has released a database that details the $4.7 billion direct payments to individuals, partnerships and corporations in 2009.
Congressional leaders are discussing eliminating or phasing out the direct payments, which crop farmers get whether prices are high or low. When the direct payments program was established in the 1996 farm bill, trade advocates praised it because the payments do not encourage farmers to plant one crop rather than another, but as commodity prices have risen, direct payments have come under criticism.
“This new data underscores why direct payments should be eliminated,” said Craig Cox, EWG’s vice president for agriculture and natural resources, when the database was announced late last week.
“The savings could help reduce the deficit and bolster conservation and nutrition programs,” Cox said. “It is remarkable that some in the subsidy lobby are still trying to cling onto this wasteful and unnecessary program.”
Congressional leaders are discussing eliminating or phasing out the direct payments, which crop farmers get whether prices are high or low. When the direct payments program was established in the 1996 farm bill, trade advocates praised it because the payments do not encourage farmers to plant one crop rather than another, but as commodity prices have risen, direct payments have come under criticism.
“This new data underscores why direct payments should be eliminated,” said Craig Cox, EWG’s vice president for agriculture and natural resources, when the database was announced late last week.
“The savings could help reduce the deficit and bolster conservation and nutrition programs,” Cox said. “It is remarkable that some in the subsidy lobby are still trying to cling onto this wasteful and unnecessary program.”
