Farm Policy Facts, a non-profit group of farmers and commodity organizations, has launched an on-line petition drive aimed at preventing the enactment of proposals to radically overhaul the current farm bill.

The petition specifically calls for rejection of the Food and Agriculture Risk Management for the 21st Century Act or Farm 21, legislation introduced by Reps. Ron Kind, D-Wis., and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. The proposal seeks to replace the current law with risk management accounts.

“The petition supports a strong farm policy in the United States because it ensures that America has the safest, most affordable, and most abundant food and fiber supply in the world,” according to a statement released by the group.

“The petition says current law has saved U.S. taxpayers $25 billion over the life of the current farm bill; supports an industry that employs 20 percent of the U.S. workforce and contributes $3.5 trillion a year to the U.S. economy; increases the country’s food security; and gives U.S. producers a chance against foreign competitors.

Farm Policy Facts includes the USA Rice Federation, the National Cotton Council and other major farm commodity groups.

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