1、Congressional Research Service ? The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 97-673 ENRUpdated May 8, 2001Conservation Reserve Program:Status and Current IssuesJeffrey ZinnSenior Analyst in Natural Resources PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSumm
2、aryThe Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), enacted in 1985, enables producers toretire highly erodible or environmentally sensitive cropland, usually for 10 years.Congress reauthorized and amended the CRP in the 1996 Federal AgricultureImprovement and Reform Act (P.L. 104-127; 16 U.S.C. 3811, et seq
3、.). The law capsenrollment at 36.4 million acres and makes funding mandatory through the commodityCredit Corporation. There were 32.8 million acres enrolled on October 1, 2000.Since 1996, land has been enrolled through general signups, continuous enrollmentof smaller parcels with high environmental
4、benefits, and state programs that supplementfederal efforts. USDA officials have stated that acres enrolled since 1996 have muchhigher average environmental benefits and lower average costs than earlier ones. As thenext farm bill debate approaches, Congress is likely to debate: (1) increasing the ov
