Equipment Manufacturers Applaud House And Senate Action On Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This week, the House and Senate Agriculture Committees each voted to pass their versions of the 2013 Farm Bill and send it to the floor for full consideration.  Following the votes, Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) President Dennis Slater issued the following statement:

"I applaud both the House and Senate committees for taking swift action to move the 2013 Farm Bill to the floor of their respective chambers. The agriculture equipment manufacturing industry directly and indirectly employs thousands of Americans whose livelihoods depend on a strong agriculture economy.   

"Passing a Farm Bill will help our economy grow and ensure that we can continue to provide the safest and most abundant food supply in the world.  AEM and its member companies were disappointed to see Congress delay the previous 2012 Farm Bill, and now urge them to bring the bill to the floor as soon as possible."

The Senate Agriculture Committee passed its version of the bill on May 14^th.  Largely similar to last year's legislation, the Senate bill calls for $23 billion in savings over a period of 10 years.

The House Agriculture Committee passed a farm bill the following day, seeking to achieve $39.7 billion in savings – an increase of around $4 billion from last year's committee-passed draft.  Both Chambers' versions of the bill would eliminate direct payments in exchange for stronger crop insurance. September, 2013 is the deadline for a Farm Bill to be approved and signed into law. 

About the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) - www.aem.org
AEM is the North American-based international trade group providing innovative business development resources to advance the off-road equipment manufacturing industry in the global marketplace. AEM membership comprises more than 850 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and utility sectors worldwide. AEM is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with offices in the world capitals of Washington, D.C.: Ottawa, Canada; and Beijing, China.

CONTACT:
Sara Sendek, AEM 
202-898-9064; [email protected] 

SOURCE Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)