FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 4, 1998
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) introduced legislation today that would enable landowners in the farm crisis area of Northwest Minnesota the option of enrolling cropland that has been repeatedly infected with scab or vomitoxin in the Conservation Reserve Program.
"This bill will help many farmers in our area to divert part of their farm into CRP while we work to fix the disease problem." Peterson said.
Under the legislation filed by Peterson, eligible cropland must be in a county that has been declared a disaster three out of five years and must have been repeatedly infected with the diseases. Crop insurance records and grain elevator receipts will be used for verification.
Peterson has already seen signs of support for his legislation. "Chairman Smith (of the House Committee on Agriculture) has worked with me to develop the language of this CRP bill," Peterson said. "I have also been working with USDA to see this idea become law. I hope that support can continue to grow and that action will occur later this year. Our farmers need options now."
The CRP bill has been referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. On a related note, a week ago Peterson urged USDA to approve a proposal to expand the CRP Priority Area in Northwest Minnesota. Chairman Smith echoed that endorsement and encouraged Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman to approve the plan.