The House Agriculture Committee announced that it will begin markup of its farm bill on July 11. After the Senate passed the 2012 Farm Bill, Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, said, “Although there will be differences between the Senate approach and our own, I hope my colleagues are encouraged by this success when we meet on July 11 to consider our own legislation. The House Agriculture Committee will consider a balanced proposal that saves taxpayers billions of dollars, recognizes the diversity of American agriculture, respects the risks producers face and preserves the tools necessary for food production." Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN), ranking member of the committee, said, “It is crucial that we finish the farm bill before the current bill expires in September. Waiting until the mess that will occur during the lame duck session will not only make it more difficult, but could also result in several unintended consequences. If the House Agriculture Committee passes a bipartisan bill in early July, the House leadership will then have little choice but to bring the farm bill to the floor before the August recess. I’m continuing to work with Chairman Lucas and members of the committee to make this happen.”