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For Immediate Release
Significant Steps for Farm Bill Conservation Programs in The Senate Help Wildlife at Home and Abroad
WASHINGTON – The following is a statement from Jamie Rappaport Clark, executive vice president of Defenders of Wildlife, in response to the successful passage of the 2007 Farm Bill by the Senate today.
“The Farm Bill passed by the Senate contains some good news for wildlife at home and abroad. Most notable is the extension of the Wetlands Reserve Program to include riparian areas, a change that will have enormous benefits for habitat conservation efforts across the country, especially the arid southwest. The bill also provides assistance for farmers and ranchers to take proactive non-lethal predator deterrence measures that will help protect both livestock and wildlife.
“The inclusion of the Endangered Species Recovery Act, which provides tax credits for landowners who voluntarily undertake measures to further the recovery of threatened or endangered species, is another significant step forward for conservation efforts on private lands. Wildlife abroad also gets a break with new protections against illegally imported timber, currently threatening their precious habitat. Animals like the orangutan, a victim of rapid deforestation in Indonesia, will certainly benefit.
“The bill is not perfect. Overall funding for conservation programs is still insufficient to meet the high demand of farmers who want to participate in these valuable programs. It is also disappointing that the Senate failed to support several reform amendments that would have given farmers increased access to these vital programs.
“We recognize,
however, that the Senate Agriculture Committee, under the leadership of Sen.
Harkin (D-Iowa), has worked tirelessly to produce a Farm Bill this year.
Defenders of Wildlife congratulates them for their hard work and for advancing
wildlife conservation.”
Learn more about what Defenders of Wildlife is doing on the Farm Bill.
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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come.
