Defenders Urges Congress To Fully Fund Conservation Policies Supported By The House

“It is encouraging to see the House of Representatives pass important conservation reforms in the farm bill today. The Agriculture Committee worked hard to improve the programs’ ability to deliver benefits for wildlife. Of special significance is the extension of the Wetlands Reserve Program to include riparian areas, a change that could have enormous benefits for habitat conservation efforts in the arid Southwest.

“However, any number of good policy reforms will be rendered meaningless without sufficient funding to implement them. As the bill currently stands, the Conservation Security Program will not be able to accept new enrollments for the life of this farm bill, cutting off support for many environmentally conscientious farmers and ranchers who are striving to achieve the highest levels of conservation stewardship on their land. The Grasslands Reserve Program and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program are also funded well below urgently needed levels. We are disappointed that the House opted against adopting several measures offered on the floor to increase conservation funding.

“As the Senate prepares to take up consideration of the farm bill, we urge Agriculture Committee Chair Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) to build on the improvements in the House bill as he works to pass legislation through his committee. We urge the Senate to secure the funding increases necessary to provide the full suite of conservation programs to farmers and ranchers who wish to improve their stewardship practices and to protect and enhance wildlife habitat on their land.”

###

Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities.  With more than 900,000 members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. 

Contact(s):