The Food Security Act of 1985: major provisions affecting commodities

Extract: Many provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, which sets U.S. farm policy through 1990, are designed to improve the market orientation of U.S. farm policy. This bulletin summarizes major provisions of the act for specific commodities and highlights changes from previous farm legislation. The act: 1) Continues target prices, but they are scheduled to decline over the life of the act. 2) Specifies acreage reduction programs when stocks exceed certain levels. 3) Attempts to control erosion and prevent farm production on erodible croplands and wetlands. 4) Gives the Secretary of Agriculture wide latitude in implementing commodity programs