Bonham – Members of the U.S. House and Senate packed their bags and left for the August recess without any further movement on the 2012 Farm Bill. In the meantime, Texas farmers wait expectantly for the safety net that is needed to mitigate risk and protect their operations.

“The farm bill is a critical resource for Texas farmers and farmers across the country, especially in light of the recent natural disasters that we’ve faced,” said Jerry Magness, Fannin County Farm Bureau president. “We are disappointed that Congress chose to leave Washington without passing a farm legislation bill to ensure an adequate domestic food supply.”

President Obama also called for Congress to pass the five-year farm bill, noting the importance of the legislation, particularly as the country’s farmers are pressed by a historic drought.

Although the Senate passed its version of the farm bill in June, the House has not approved the version drafted by the House Agriculture Committee in July. The current farm bill is set to expire at the end of September.

“Farmers are depending on our legislators to stand up for agriculture and act quickly,” Magness said. “We can’t be assured of the future until a solid plan is in place.”