Myth
#1
U.S. farm policy bilks taxpayers and busts the budget. |
Fact
#1
U.S. farm policy costs pennies per meal and accounts for
little more than one-half of 1% of the U.S. budget. In fact, the
2002 Farm Bill costs less than the 1996 Farm Bill with emergency
assistance. |
Myth
#2
The 2002 Farm Bill depresses farm prices and increases food prices. |
Fact
#2
American consumers enjoy the safest, most abundant and most
affordable food supply in the world for 10.9% of income –
less than consumers in any other country. In any case, the 2002
Farm Bill cannot depress farm prices and increase food prices at
the same time. |
Myth
#3
U.S. farm policy helps big corporate agribusinesses, not real farm
families. |
Fact
#3
Big corporate agribusiness actually opposes U.S. farm policy.
U.S. farm policy does help all American farm families because all
farm families feel the sting of a world market that is not free
or fair. |
Myth
#4
U.S. farm policy is nothing but corporate welfare, benefiting only
those receiving direct help. |
Fact
#4
U.S. farm policy is important to national security, ensuring
a safe, abundant and affordable domestic food supply, and vital
to a strong rural and urban economy, with the food and fiber industry
creating 25 million jobs, producing $3.5 trillion in output, and
accounting for 15% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product. |
Myth
#5
U.S. farm policy interferes with free markets and free trade. |
Fact
#5
U.S. farm policy fully complies with U.S. trade agreements.
And, with foreign tariffs on agricultural goods more than 5 times
higher than U.S. tariffs, U.S. farm policy helps level the playing
field so our farmers can compete in a world market that is not free
or fair. |
Myth
#6
The 2002 Farm Bill shortchanges conservation. |
Fact
#6
The 2002 Farm Bill provides over $39 billion for conservation
– the highest level of funding in history for conservation
programs that prevent soil erosion, preserve and restore wetlands,
clean the air and water and enhance wildlife. |
Myth
#7
All special interests critical of U.S. farm policy just want good
public policy. |
Fact
#7
Many special interests critical of U.S. farm policy cross the ideological
divide but share a common denominator: agendas that the vast majority
of Americans reject. |