In one of his first official acts, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer released details of President George W. Bush’s fiscal year (FY) 2009 USDA budget on Monday.
"The President’s agriculture budget supports his commitment to increase the competitiveness of agriculture, ensure the safety of the food supply, and provide nutrition and housing assistance to those most in need," said Schafer. "This budget aims to enhance those programs with a proven track record for achieving results and reflects the President’s goal to keep spending under control to reduce the deficit."
Total USDA expenditures are estimated at $95 billion in FY 2009, which is approximately the same level as FY 2008. Roughly 76 percent of expenditures, or $72 billion in 2009, will be for mandatory programs that provide services required by law, which include many of the nutrition assistance, commodity, export promotion, and conservation programs. One funding increase targets high priority bioenergy research aimed at improving the efficiency of converting cellulose to biofuels.
According to the USDA news release, the President’s 2009 budget is based on the provisions of the 2002 farm bill and reflects the Administration’s proposals for changes. Enactment of a farm bill will affect some of the estimates in the 2009 budget.
Currently, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate ag committees are in conference, trying to work out a compromise bill to present to the President, who has threatened to veto both versions of the 2007 farm bill.
Conferees have four options: reach a consensus with the White House; accept a veto, modify the bill, and try again; override a veto; or extended the current law beyond March 15.
Visit www.usda.gov/budget for additional information on the budget.
