National Farmers Union News Release / For Immediate Release: January 28, 2000 / Contact: Erika Batcheller (202) 314-3104
WASHINGTON -- The National Farmers Union today hailed President Bill Clinton for recognizing the farm crisis and for challenging Congress to revamp the federal farm program in his annual State of the Union address.
In his Jan. 27 speech, Clinton said, "When I signed the farm bill in 1996, I said there was a great danger it would work well in good times but not in bad. Well, droughts, floods and historically low prices have made times very bad for our farmers. We must work together to strengthen the farm safety net, invest in land conservation and create new markets by expanding our program for bio-based fuels and products."
"We commend the president for recognizing the economic plight of America's family farmers and ranchers," said NFU President Leland Swenson. "His efforts have been instrumental in raising public awareness of the many challenges facing independent production agriculture."
NFU also praised Clinton for acknowledging the need for a stronger farm safety net and the importance of fixing flawed domestic policies to improve the farm economy.
"The president clearly recognized that addressing the problems in the rural economy must begin with the farm program," said Swenson. "Two years in a row of emergency relief is a clear indication that the Freedom to Farm program has not worked. Congress must immediately begin work on reform of the farm program to give family farmers and ranchers a future in agriculture."
NFU is seeking a number of farm policy reforms, including the addition of a stronger counter-cyclical safety net, improved marketing tools, such as a farmer-owned grain reserve, and expansion of conservation programs, including a short-term, voluntary conservation diversion program.
Swenson said the organization looks forward to working with Congress and the administration to secure these and other improvements to farm policy.:
