"This amendment prevents EQIP resources from being gobbled up by a few mega-operations and allows more farmers to participate in the program," Grassley said. "EQIP has limited funds. A lower payment limit will still fulfill the needs of 97.8 percent of livestock producers and provide an opportunity for more family farmers to participate in the program."
Grassley had intended to offer several amendments that address livestock concentration, vertical integration, and reasonable commodity payment limits. Due to the process to which the legislation was brought before the full Senate, he was unable to offer any other amendments besides EQIP Payment Limits.
Grassley said he will continue to pursue other avenues where he can pass his legislation to ensure a level playing field for family farmers.
The Grassley amendment ensures that the money appropriated can't be used to pay U.S. Department of Agriculture salaries and expenses to operate the EQIP program with payments greater than $300,000 per agricultural operation.
"My amendment will allow more farmers to participate in the program this year, result in a fairer distribution of dollars within the program, and prevent EQIP resources from being gobbled up by a few large contracts to big farms," Grassley said. "I don't want the EQIP program to become a new subsidy program paying out six or seven figure checks to the nation's biggest operators. Unfortunately, we already have one of those programs."