Provisions of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996

by Frederick J. Nelson and Lyle P. Schertz

This report provides an item-by-item description and explanation of the new Act, which will guide agricultural programs from 1996-2000. Signed into law in April, the act makes significant changes in long-standing U.S. agricultural policies. Major changes in U.S. commodity programs are included in the Act's Title I, known as the Agricultural Market Transition Act.

Keywords: commodity programs, farm legislation, direct payments, loan rates, marketing loans, production flexibility contracts, conservation, sodbuster, swampbuster, farm credit, agricultural trade, P.L. 480, export enhancement, food stamps, nutrition

In this publication...

• Entire Report
• Introduction
• Title I: Agricultural Market Transition Act
• Title II: Agricultural Trade
• Title III: Conservation
• Title IV: Nutrition Assistance
• Title V: Agricultural Promotion
• Title VI: Credit
• Title VII: Rural Development
• Title VIII: Research, Extension, and Education
• Title IX: Miscellaneous
• Appendix I: "1996 FAIR Act Frames Farm Policy for 7 Years," Reprint from Agriculture Outlook, April 1996
• Appendix II: Glossary
• Appendix III: Major Agricultural and Trade Legislation, 1933-96
• Appendix IV: Commodity Provisions Table, 1989-2002
• Index