FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 1998
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) announced today that a bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to allow farmers the ability to collect 1999 farm payments early may help certain areas, but that Northwest Minnesota needs more substantial help.
"I understand that the advanced payments may help some farmers in the U.S. who are in need of positive cash flow now," Peterson said. "But because farmers in NW Minnesota have suffered from disasters and disease the past six year, these payments are no solution," Peterson said.
According to Peterson, there are more significant types of assistance that could aid Northwest Minnesota.
"First of all, Congress needs to hurry up and pass the Senate $500 million indemnity program in order to give some help to those producers who need it most," Peterson continued. "We also need USDA to quickly approve the CRP priority area expansion to allow landowners another option. Crop insurance must also be reformed soon to provide real risk coverage. The farm crisis is a multi-faceted problem that will take several different types of assistance to cure."