Heritage Foundation Calls for Market-Based Farm Bill

The Heritage Foundation has released a report that takes a look at what they believe would be the best direction forward for agriculture policy.

Research Fellow Daren Bakst said the proposal would eliminate most government subsidies.

“We believe that agriculture producers can manage risk. They do manage risk now. And they can succeed effectively without this government handout and intervention and many farmers do even without the subsidies.”

Bakst said most farmers that they spoke with felt like they had to take subsidies just to compete with their neighbors.

The fact that agriculture is treated as almost fragile, and very different than other industries holds them back according to Bakst.

“I think if we freed up farmers, I think we would all be better from consumers, taxpayers, the farmers and they would be even better than they already are when it comes to agricultural production.”

Bakst noted that there are also many other aspects to agriculture policy such as trade, regulations but he believes it is rare that the solution is government intervention or assistance.

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