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Corn
Growers Encouraged by Harkin Proposal (11-01-01)
Lee Klein-chairman
of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and a Battle Creek,
Neb., farmer-stated that his organization is "encouraged by the
positive steps taken by Senator Tom Harkin to create a Farm Bill package
that will serve as a guide to U.S. agriculture policy for the next five
years."
Senator Harkin,
D-Iowa, Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry,
has worked closely with the NCGA and other leading farm groups, such
as the American Soybean Association, to ensure the next Farm Bill creates
a strong, consensus farm policy that reaches across regional boundaries,
and one that is compatible with the diverse needs of producers throughout
the country.
"Senator Harkin's
proposal moves toward restoring equity in farm policy," Klein continued,
"and includes components that should appeal to farm state Republicans
and Democrats in a bipartisan manner." Although the bill's payment
limitation remains a serious concern for the NCGA, it goes a long way
to improve domestic supports and agriculture trade policy.
The Harkin bill
includes provisions very similar to the NCGA counter-cyclical payment
language. "A core of NCGA Farm Bill policy is the counter-cyclical
payment program. NCGA has worked hard for a policy that brings workable
solutions to the present farm situation. Innovative programs such as
the NCGA counter-cyclical payment program are just one of the many ways
we work to represent our members," Klein concluded.
For more information
about NCGA and this issue see www.ncga.com.
Last reviewed
November 1, 2001
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