JAMESTOWN, N.D. (Prairie Public Radio) – The president of the North Dakota Farmers Union says he hopes Congress will agree on a new farm bill soon, before the current farm bill expires.

Mark Watne says he doesn’t want to see Congress pass an extension of the current law, He says one of the priorities his organization has for a farm bill is strengthening the “safety net” for farmers.

Watne also says conservation will be a hot topic during farm bill discussions. He says the Farmers Union wants a good environment, and is concerned about climate change. But Watne says if agriculture is going to be part of a solution, it needs to be an “opt-in” and reward program.

He also says the crop insurance program is working. But he would like to see more of an effort to reduce potential fraud in that program.