Farm Bill Proposal Favors Industrial Agriculture Over Healthy Food and Small Farmers

Senate Republicans have released their updated Farm Bill proposal, which prioritizes industrial commodity agriculture over healthy food, small and mid-sized farmers, and struggling families.

The bill doubles down on a food and farm system that relies heavily on pesticide-intensive corn production, despite growing concerns about the environmental and health impacts of this practice.

Kari Hamerschlag, Deputy Director of Food and Agriculture at Friends of the Earth U.S., said, 'The Farm Bill should help farmers grow more healthy food, strengthen local and regional food economies, and make nutritious food more affordable.'

The bill's E15 provision is expected to increase demand for corn ethanol, which will drive additional chemical use, contribute to water pollution, biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and declining soil health.