US Senate votes down ethanol subsidies

Critics say ethanol, made mainly from corn in the United
States, has diverted too much grain from food to fuel
© AFP/File Stan Honda

AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Senate voted Thursday to end a $6 billion subsidy for ethanol in a move that appeared largely symbolic but sends a message about the growing unease on support for the biofuel made mostly from corn.

In a 73-27 vote, the Senate approved an amendment to end a 45 cent per gallon credit given for blending ethanol into gasoline and scrap a hefty tariff on ethanol imports.

The outcome for the measure remains uncertain, since the broader bill would need to pass the Senate and the House of Representatives, but lawmakers said a broad coalition supports the move to help curb the massive budget deficit.

Arkansas Declared Disaster Area Due To Drought

(Washington, DC)  --  The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated the entire state of Arkansas a disaster area due to drought, heat and insects during the 2010 growing season.

According to press releases from all of the state's congressional delegations, farmers are now eligible for emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency to help cover the losses to their crops.

The clock is now ticking on the eight-month window of opportunity to apply for those loans and for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program.

How Farm Subsidies Harm Taxpayers, Consumers, and Farmers, Too

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