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CONGRESSMAN
COLLIN C. PETERSON
Minnesota - 7th District       http://wwwa.house.gov/collinpeterson/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2001
CONTACT: Rob Larew/202-225-2165

Peterson Announces Farmer-Friendly Farm Bill Proposal

(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Collin C. Peterson (D-Minn) today announced the introduction of a comprehensive farm proposal with concepts that he will seek to have considered in the upcoming rewrite of the farm bill.

“The current system has failed our farmers and American consumers,” Peterson said. “It is time to write new policy that provides meaningful assistance to farmers in order to assure a bright future for American Agriculture.”

Peterson, a senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture, recently traveled throughout his northwestern Minnesota district talking with farmers about what should be included in the new farm bill. “I decided it was time to put some new ideas on the table for consideration,” he said. “Ideas that actually help farmers.

“Our farmers are ready for something new. They are looking a farm bill that has a real safety net and provides meaningful assistance when it’s needed,” Peterson said. “For too long they have been forced into a global market with low prices and unfair trade practices. The bill I outlined today addresses these concerns.”  

The bill includes marketing assistance loans based off the full economic cost of production for each of the eligible crops.  Individually, producers will be afforded counter-cyclical protection with the new “moving” loan rates.  The assistance will be highest for small to mid-sized farmers, allowing everyone to have a share of their production in the open market.  

Three limited reserves are also proposed to provide a tool to manage abundance for the market, humanitarian assistance, as well as energy needs.  Permanent Disaster Assistance authority is granted to USDA to provide help with weather or disease related crop and livestock losses.  

Other policy areas covered include a $12.50 price support for dairy with supply management, elimination of the sugar budget assessment and restitution of sugar allotments, and increased funding for current conservation programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP).  Trade, Concentration, and Rural Development support is also included.       

Peterson acknowledged the strong support and assistance provided by the National Farmers Union, conservation and wildlife groups, and other agricultural organizations during the development of the proposal.  “I especially thank National Farmers Union and all the other groups for their tremendous effort they provide to develop a strong and effective farm policy,” Peterson said.   

Farmer-Friendly Farm Bill Proposal

Congressman Collin C. Peterson

NON-RECOURSE MARKETING LOAN  

·         Counter-Cyclical, Commodity Specific, Actual Production, Competitiveness

·         Up to 3-Year Average Of 100 Percent Full Economic Cost Of Production (USDA/ERS)

·         2002 Minimum Loan Rates: Wheat-$4.00, Corn-$2.40, Soybeans-$5.30, Cotton-$0.74, Rice-$8.22

·         Current Law: Wheat-$2.58, Corn-$1.89, Soybeans-$5.26, Cotton-$0.52, Rice-$6.50

·         Loan Rates Adjust For Both Input Cost And Productivity Changes

MAINTAIN PLANTING FLEXIBILITY

CONSERVATION  

·         Enhance And Fully Fund Current Conservation Programs (As Recommended by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus)

·         Increase CRP Authorization To 45 Million Acres

·         Increase WRP Authorization By 250,000 Acres Per Year

·         Increase WHIP Funding

·         Establish 1 Million Acre Grassland Reserve Program

·        Establish Short Term Soil Rehabilitation Program For Up To 5 Million Acres

RURAL DEVELOPMENT  

·         USDA Remain Primary Agency For Rural Development

·        Enhance Programs To Increase Rural Economic Development, Infrastructure and Market Opportunities (RBCS, RHS, RUS, F/SMIP, FSA Credit)

CONCENTRATION

·         Strengthen USDA Role In Merger Review Process

·         Require Economic Impact Statements Concerning Merger Effects

·         Include Poultry Sector Within GIPSA Jurisdiction

·         Implement Contractor’s Bill Of Rights Legislation. Opportunity For Contract Review, Understandable Terms, Public Filing

TRADE

·         Address Exchange Rate Differentials And Distortions

·         Expand Market Opportunities Internationally And Domestically

·         Remove Sanctions On Food And Medical Products

·         Address Labor And Environmental Standards

Sugar

·         Eliminate Budget Assessment

·         Reinstate Allotments To Better Balance Supply Of Sugar

Permanent Disaster Authority

·         Provide Certainty To Farmers Who Face Disaster.

·         Reinstate Secretarial Authority To Provide Assistance Due To Weather Or Disease Related Disaster.

·          Provide Assistance For Both Crop And Livestock Losses, As Determined By The Secretary, Due To Disaster.

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