House Passes Farm Bill That Limits Subsidies

The House Wednesday approved a 1990 farm bill that limits commodity subsidies, but not to the low levels that members attacking agriculture spending had sought.

The House’s 327-91 approval of the bill that sets agriculture policy for the next five years follows Senate passage last Friday of its version, which has many similar or identical provisions.

The cost of the support programs in the two bills is estimated to be between $54 billion and $55 billion.

Amendments added to the House bill Wednesday brought it into conformity with the Senate breakthroughs in food safety and environmental protection, including a ban on exports of pesticides that cannot be used in the United States.

The House bill would:

--Authorize $250,000 annually for research on deer ticks and other pests that transmit Lyme disease.

--Authorize $10 million annually for a public education program on the hazards of tobacco use.

--Require farmers to keep records on pesticide use that could be provided to government agencies or employees and health care professionals concerned about the effects of exposure.

--Establish national standards for labeling a food “organically grown.”