Michael Pollan of Omnivore’s Dilemma fame explains just how important the upcoming debate on the Farm Bill is to all of us, here in this article for the New York Times Magazine.
The Farm Bill determines the subsidies and national priorities for food production in the US. To a large degree, it determines how half of the land in the US is used and if priority will be given to environmental issues or to high volume food production. It will determine where the massive farm subsidies go. For Americans who can’t afford to buy any food they want, regardless of price, it will to a large degree determine what they eat.
For those of us who live outside of the US, it is nearly as important, because what results from the Farm Bill will put pressure on governments all over the world who will need to harmonize their own food policies with those of the US.
