Petroplex News

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) has expressed his commitment to advocating for the needs of farmers and ranchers in Texas. In a letter addressed to House Agriculture Chairman G.T. Thompson and Ranking Member David Scott, Rep. Pfluger outlined his priorities for the 11th District of Texas for the remainder of the 118th Congress.

"The 11th District of Texas is an agriculture powerhouse with a unique set of challenges to production," stated Rep. Pfluger. "I am proud to advocate for the needs of our farmers and ranchers in the upcoming Farm Bill and in other products the Committee will consider in 2024. Food security is national security."

The letter highlights the importance of a strong and secure food supply chain and emphasizes the significant contribution that Texas makes to food security. With over 15 million acres of farm and ranchland and generating over $1 billion in agriculture revenue annually, the district plays a crucial role in supporting local economies and ensuring America's food security.

Rep. Pfluger called for updates to be made in the upcoming reauthorization of the Farm Bill to address the challenges faced by producers. He emphasized the need for a strong farm safety net, particularly in light of the third-costliest year for weather disasters in U.S. history in 2022, which resulted in an estimated $165 billion in economic losses. The letter stressed the importance of making disaster programs more consistent and working in conjunction with crop insurance and other programs to protect farmers and ranchers.

The Congressman also underscored the significance of crop insurance as a linchpin of the farm safety net. He urged that means testing, income limits, or any policies that negatively impact risk pools should not be included in the Farm Bill.

Rep. Pfluger highlighted the issue of predation, which has led to a decline in domestic livestock herds and significant revenue losses for Texas ranchers. He called for the extension of the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, as well as the inclusion of two bipartisan pieces of legislation, the WOLF Act and H.R. 4939, to help producers respond to predators and prevent livestock losses.

The letter also addressed the need to control brush density, which affects grass growth and soil erosion. Rep. Pfluger emphasized the importance of fair funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to support producers' efforts in managing brush.

Furthermore, Rep. Pfluger called for robust funding of research in predation, crop sciences, and animal health. However, he proposed funding restrictions on institutions of higher education that have a relationship with Confucius Institutes, citing concerns about espionage and intellectual property theft by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

In concluding the letter, Rep. Pfluger emphasized the importance of policies that ensure an affordable and abundant supply of food, independent of foreign adversaries. He expressed his commitment to promoting and protecting American agriculture and looks forward to working with Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Scott to achieve these goals.

Rep. Pfluger's letter underscores his dedication to advocating for the needs of Texas farmers and ranchers, recognizing the challenges they face and the critical role they play in ensuring food security for the nation.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://pfluger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=957