2012 Farm Bill passes House committee, help to fight pine beetle - KOTA Territory News

Rep. Kristi Noem says the passage of the 2012 Farm Bill through the House Agriculture Committee will save more than $35 billion.

A provision of the legislation, National Forest Emergency Response Act, would streamline pine beetle mitigation efforts.

Noem says she fought hard to increase categorical exclusions up to 10,000 acres. Categorical exclusions are the rapid-response efforts that are used to combat emergencies like the pine beetle. Noem says one thousand simply doesn't cut it."This amendment was huge for the Black Hills. This is going to allow us to look at bigger areas get in front of those beetles and hopefully still protect what we've got left of our hills."

Noem's Democratic challenger Matt Varilek says he supported Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and was concerned that Noem opposed it. "I strongly support Country of Origin Labeling and thought Congresswoman Noem would too," said Matt Varilek. "If I had known she planned to oppose the interest of South Dakota cattle producers, I might have thought twice before urging her to start attending Ag Committee meetings."

According to Varilek COOL allows U.S. cattle producers to get better prices and gives consumers access to information about their food.

Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and Wyoming Rep. Cynthia Lummis both say they support advancements for the Farm Bill.