Negotiators Agree on Farm Bill, but Bush Vows to Veto It

Schafer noted the bill increases support prices and guaranteed prices for more than a dozen crops, making the United States vulnerable to trading partners' claims that it violates subsidy limits.

However, lawmakers in both parties pointed to improvements in the nutrition, conservation and research programs that account for the bulk of the bill's costs.

Eligibility for the food stamp program will be eased by increasing the income deduction allowed to qualify, and the minimum benefit will be raised.

The conferees added $1.5 billion over 10 years for conservation activities on working farms. The program is a top priority of Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, who favors linking subsidies to a farm's environmental efforts, along lines being tried in Europe.

Almost $400 million would be available to help farmers reduce runoff of pollutants into Chesapeake Bay.

Morgan is a contract writer for The Post and a fellow at the German Marshall Fund, a nonpartisan public policy institute.