October 16, 2001	Tuesday	Rajab 28, 1422

WASHINGTON, Oct 15: The Senate Agriculture Committee was likely to begin writing a new US farm law toward the end of next week, beginning with less controversial sections of the bill, a spokesman said on Friday.

The spokesman, Seth Bofelli, said Thursday was a possible date for the first “mark up” session, which could cover three sections of the bill. He said the committee would start with sections less likely to attract argument.

Farm lobbyists said there was no resolution of a debate within the committee over how much money to allot to crop supports and to conservation.

Committee chairman Tom Harkin, an Iowa Democrat, was sponsor of a plan to pay farmers up to $50,000 a year if they make land, water and wildlife stewardship part of their daily work.

Earlier this week, Harkin said the committee would begin bill-drafting next week but did not suggest a date or items for initial consideration.

One farm lobbyist said the committee might begin with the farm credit and forestry sections, which are relatively brief.

Harkin has consulted the Agriculture Department while drafting material for possible inclusion in the farm bill, Bofelli said.

The House passed a $73.5 billion farm bill last week that would boost crop subsidies by at least $49 billion over 10 years and put an additional $16 billion into conservation.

Harkin wants a strong conservation section in the bill his committee will write.—Reuters