Move to make wealthy US growers pay more for federal crop insurance

Farm subsidy reformers praised a vote by the US House of Representatives to make the wealthiest growers pay more for federally subsidised crop insurance, the first eligibility limit on a programme that costs $9bn (€6.65bn) a year.

The non binding House vote will be a factor in upcoming negotiations with the Senate on a final version of the new farm bill, which is a year overdue. Senators put a similar restriction on farmers with more than $750,000 (€555,000) adjusted gross income (AGI) a year in their bill.

One percent of farmers, or about 20,000 people, would be affected by the provision, estimated to save $1.3bn (c.€1bn) over 10 years. Crop insurance is the costliest part of the farm safety net. The farm bill would expand the programme by up to 10% while cutting conservation and food stamps for the poor.