Washington  - The US House of Representatives on Wednesday overruled a veto by President George W Bush for only the second time in his more than seven years in office, reinstituting legislation that expands agricultural subsidies in the United States.

Bush earlier Wednesday blocked the 300-billion-dollar bill, calling it fiscally irresponsible, though the White House conceded that Congress was likely to overcome the presidential veto.

The House voted for the override 316-108 with the support of several of Bush's fellow centre-right Republicans. The upper Senate was likely to follow suit after both chambers of Congress overwhelmingly approved the farm bill last week.

Bush said the legislation increased annual federal spending on agriculture by 20 billion dollars, rewarded already wealthy farmers and threatened international trade negotiations aimed at improving US access to global markets.

"At a time of high food prices and record farm income, this bill lacks programme reform and fiscal discipline," Bush said in his veto message to Congress.

The legislation includes 10 billion dollars in new money for nutrition programmes and extra food stamps to help the poor, as well as subsidies for bio-fuels and conservation measures. (dpa)