For Immediate Release
Washington, DC

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry released the Agriculture Improvement Act (Farm Bill) today. In addition to addressing traditional agricultural and food policy, the Farm Bill has major implications for wildlife and our environment.

Former Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO, Jamie Rappaport Clark, issued the following statement:

“The Senate Farm Bill provides a sound foundation for conserving our nation’s wildlife. Unlike the House version, the Senate did not cut conservation funding or include many of the egregious riders, like the ‘Poisoned Pollinator Provision’ and damaging forestry provisions.

“We urge the Senate to fight any bad amendments, and make sure that conservation compliance provisions remain intact, while ensuring that the toxic riders in the House bill never become law.”

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.  

 

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