We have seen lots of press the past few months on the "Food vs. Fuel" debate and it will be interesting to watch how it will affect the farm bill debate. The farm bill is renewed every five years and things are heating up over the "food fight." Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa recently said, "This is not just a farm bill, it is a food bill, and Americans who eat want a stake in it." Senator Harkin is the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Washington observers are already seeing groups who traditionally have not had an interest in the farm bill getting involved. So in addition to the usual farmers, ag lobbyists, and the groups who think subsidies ought to be reduced, there is involvement by the American Heart Association, Environmental Defense, Taxpayers for Common Sense, and GMA/FPA, a food industry association.

One major issue concerning this year's debate is the World Trade Organization demand to reduce the share of support linked to a specific commodity. In the U.S., 93% of all payments go to five commodities, soybeans, corn, rice, wheat and cotton. Another concern is the "pay-as-you-go policy that means to spend more on one program, it has to reduce expenditures on something else.

Is agriculture and previous farm bills responsible for America's growth in obesity??? A recent article in the New York Times focuses on critics of high fructose corn sweetener and hydrogenated soybean oil as the culprits in the battle for a healthier society. Subsidy supporters credit the subsidies as keeping food affordable for Americans. Critics charge that subsidies lead to cheap snack foods and soft drinks, made from ingredients like high fructose corn sweetener and hydrogenated soybean oil. Health professionals say that calories from sweetener and soy oil are partly responsible for the epidemic of childhood obesity and diabetes.

The 2002 Farm Bill provided $143.3 billion for nutrition programs like Food Stamps, $16.8 billion for conservation, and $67.6 billion to subsidize program crops. Representative Collin Peterson of Minnesota is the chairman of the House Ag Committee. He is expected to introduce two bills soon. The first one will propose marginal subsidy cuts and include money for fruits and vegetables, organic farming, farmer's market promotion, novice farmers, and energy programs. The second bill will propose additional funds for nutrition programs and conservation programs.

The farm bill debate will continue to be interesting, so stay tuned!