The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate continue to struggle to reach agreement on a new Farm Bill, reports the Wildlife Management Institute. The level of funding for a disaster package and the source of funds to replace revenues lost through tax breaks for some of the conservation programs appear to be sticking points. Those involved in the negotiations report progress is being made but there "is still work to do."

The 2002 Farm Bill has already been extended twice in an effort for Congress to buy time to agree on new legislation. The current extension is set to expire on April 18. The White House is on record in support of a longer extension of one to two years of the 2002 Farm Bill if no agreement can be reached by the expiration date, rather than additional short-term extensions with the intent of getting new legislation in place soon. An extension of a year or longer would entail starting over the whole process of Farm Bill development, with the seating of a new Congress and President next January. (pmr)