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The first farm bill, passed in 1933, launched a program to raise agricultural prices by paying farmers to limit production .President Roosevelt sought to help farmers by boosting crop prices. -
The law gave the President authority to impose quotas
when imports interfered with agricultural adjustment
programs. -
The law is intended to ensure that foods are pure and wholesome,
safe to eat, and produced under sanitary conditions;
that drugs and devices are safe and effective for their
intended uses; that cosmetics are safe and made from
appropriate ingredients; and that all labeling and packaging is truthful, informative, and not deceptive. -
The first food stamp program, launched in 1939. Agriculture Secretary Henry Wallace, the program’s first administrator, described how it could solve two problems at once: “We got a picture of a gorge, with farm surpluses on one cliff and under-nourished city folks with outstretched hands on the other. We set out to find a practical way to build a bridge across that chasm.” -
The law clarified the conditions under which unfair trade cases under
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 can be pursued.
It also provided bilateral trade negotiating authority for
the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Area and set out procedures
to be followed for congressional approval of future
bilateral trade agreements. -
The law requires that all Federal lithographic printing be performed using ink made of at least a minimum specified percentage of vegetable oil. The requirement is
waived in certain circumstances for considerations of
suitability or cost. -
The law removed the link between income support payments and farm prices by providing for predetermined production flexibility contract payments whereby participating producers receive
government payments independent of current farm
prices and production. -
The 2018 Farm Bill expanded eligibility criteria to allow water management entities who assist private agricultural producers with managing water distribution or conservation systems to apply for EQIP. These entities are defined as State, irrigation district, ground water management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar entity that has jurisdiction or responsibilities related to water delivery or management to eligible lands.