Trade Concerns Likely To Shape Environmental Programs In Next Farm Bill

Increasing international pressure on the United States to reduce agricultural commodity subsidies in the next Farm Bill could bolster environmentalists' efforts to shift commodity funding to conservation and environmental protection programs while also lending support to efforts to streamline the programs. The programs provide a significant source of funds to farmers to protect sensitive land and watershed areas. For example, the 2002 Farm Bill authorized nearly $40 billion in funds for the programs over five years, although Congress has never...