National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in opposition of the separation: “Separating farm programs from nutrition programs and proposing two bills would be a huge mistake.

"The likely result would be to kill the bill. This will allow Congress to continue to take no action to provide certainty to US family farmers, ranchers, rural residents and those who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“As the providers of the food, feed, fiber and fuel, we have an obligation to educate the public on the importance of farmers and the support we lend to SNAP and other programs. Two bills would continue to perpetuate the public’s misconception on where their food comes from and widen the gap between the farmer and the consumer.

“This would also be a disruption to the historic coalition between urban, rural and conservation groups. The farm bill has historically been a bipartisan effort, and must remain a bipartisan effort. It is a shame that politics are getting in the way of providing for so many people.

“Separating farm and nutrition programs is simply a recipe to kill the bill.”