National Farmers Union News Release / For Immediate Release: December 30, 1999 / Contact: Erika Batcheller (202) 314-3104 or (202) 554-1600
WASHINGTON -- With the farm economy worsening, Congress faces a number of big challenges dealing with agricultural issues in the year 2000, including major changes to the farm program, the National Farmers Union (NFU) said today.
"While there was progress on some issues last year, there are a number of key challenges that lie ahead for Congress in 2000. The fact is, the Band-Aid approach has not worked. Congress must rewrite the farm program to give family farmers and ranchers a future in agriculture," said NFU President Leland Swenson. "We will be offering a detailed proposal for a new farm bill that addresses the fundamental problems in today's farm economy."
Swenson and Tom Buis, NFU vice president of government relations, last week met with White House chief of staff John Podesta to discuss NFU's concerns for the upcoming year. NFU is pushing for major changes to the farm program to improve farm income by strengthening the farm safety net, improving marketing tools and expanding conservation programs.
NFU also outlined the following additional challenges for 2000:
Address concentration in agriculture. Mergers and acquisitions continue to unfold at an unprecedented pace, reducing income for farmers and ranchers by eroding competition in the marketplace. NFU is urging Congress to pass measures to ensure fair and open competition for America's farmers and ranchers in all agricultural markets.
Fair trade for family farmers and ranchers. NFU is calling on Congress to level the trade playing field for farmers and ranchers, including measures to compensate producers hurt by the price-depressing effect of currency variances and valuations and to establish an international grain reserve. NFU is advocating final passage of trade adjustment assistance for farmers that was approved by the Senate just prior to recess.
Complete crop insurance reform. Effective and affordable crop insurance, while just one part of the farm safety net, is needed to help farmers and ranchers manage their financial risk. NFU is seeking completion of reforms to the crop insurance program as early as possible in the year.:
