FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 7, 1996
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) today expressed surprise that the United States Department of Agriculture opposed the bipartisan dairy agreement. "It appears that the Secretary of Agriculture has taken the unfortunate position of choosing the food stamp program over the needs of our nation's dairy farmers," said Peterson.
The House Committee on Agriculture passed the dairy title of the farm bill late last week. According to Peterson, no changes were offered or made to the dairy bill at the time. This week USDA announced it would oppose the legislation because of possible costs to food programs -- costs they estimate to be around $200 million.
"Independent analysis and Congressional Budget Office numbers do not reflect the USDA's assumptions," Peterson said. "In fact, Congress recently boosted the food stamp program with the addition of $2.3 billion. There should be no relation between a dairy farmer's livelihood and the food stamp program. It just doesn't make sense to pit food stamp recipients against dairy farmers."
The dairy compromise legislation provides for a two year transition that eliminates the Federal bureaucracy in the current dairy program. All budget assessments against dairy farmers are removed and pricing mechanisms that hurt Minnesota dairy farmers are reformed.
"Representative Steve Gunderson and I worked hard for two years on a bill that will benefit dairy farmers," Peterson added. "It is my hope that USDA will work with me in recognizing the true benefits of this bill."