LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach took note of the Senate budget resolution that passed late Thursday night, specifically the inclusion of two amendments impacting Arkansas agriculture.

Veach was pleased to see an amendment that would require federal agencies to determine full economic impact of critical habitat designations and another that would provide financial support to efforts to help control avian influenza outbreaks that have been traced to migratory waterfowl.

“Both of those items are front-and-center issues for Arkansas agriculture,” said Veach, a cotton, soybean and corn farmer from Manila (Mississippi County). “We appreciate the fact that Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton were co-sponsors of those amendments.

“Avian influenza outbreaks have been managed effectively at the state level, but the possibility of a major outbreak could spell disaster for our poultry growers in Arkansas and across the country.

Last fall, Veach testified at a House Committee on Natural Resources hearing – at the request of Rep. Rick Crawford – about the potential impact to agriculture of critical habitat designations.

“We appreciate our senators’ continued efforts in support of our state’s largest industry, agriculture,” Veach said. “They continue to take every opportunity to highlight issues critical to our state’s farmers and ranchers.”

Arkansas Farm Bureau is a nonprofit, private advocacy organization of more than 190,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life.