Asparagus is sticking point for farm bill

Extension gives lawmakers 1 week for tax tug of war

By MICHAEL DOYLE
BEE WASHINGTON BUREAU

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WASHINGTON -- Asparagus can get pretty tough. Just ask Congress.

Late Thursday, House and Senate negotiators were set to all but complete the specialty crop sections of a new farm bill. Fruit and vegetable growers will see new grants, more research and increased federal snack purchases.

"It's in a very good place," said Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, a farm bill negotiator and chairman of the House horticulture and organic agriculture subcommittee. "We have gotten the lion's share of what we have fought for."

But there's still conflict. Asparagus, among other things, has been causing lawmakers indigestion.

Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan insisted on including $15 million to assist California, Michigan and Washington state asparagus producers hurt by competition with South American countries. In U.S. asparagus growing regions, the money sounds pretty good. The Bush administration, though, considers the funding a slap at international trading partners such as Peru. Some lawmakers, moreover, worry about setting a precedent other farmers could exploit. The asparagus provision was one of many still confronting lawmakers Thursday.

Facing a self-imposed deadline today for finishing a bill likely to exceed 1,500 pages, the Senate agreed Thursday to extend negotiations until April 25. The latest extension is the third since December, when the Senate passed its version of a farm bill approved in July by the House.

"It's time to get it done," Deputy Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner told the AgriTalk radio show.

The farm bill has a $280 billion price tag over five years. Food stamps and nutrition account for much of the spending.

Negotiators are haggling over $2.5 billion worth of tax provisions, including one granting faster depreciation and sweeter capital gains treatment for racehorses. This is dear to the heart of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell from Kentucky, whose state is famous for its horse industry. It is anathema to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, negotiators say.

Bee Washington Bureau reporter Michael Doyle can be reached at mdoyle@mcclatchydc.com or 202-383-0006.