A Narrow Escape

Perhaps the essence of this year's long, tortuous debate over the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Farm Bill) can be captured through a critical look at some of the final words in the debate. Representative E. de la Garza summarized the bill saying it strengthens protective provisions for wetlands while giving farmers flexibility.  Whether these grand statements can be believed will emerge soon as the Department of Agriculture starts to make rule-making decisions on implementing the bill.