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NCGA
Urges Congressional Action on Farm Bill, Renewable Energy Policy (11-27-01)
In a letter co-signed
by the American Soybean Association (ASA), the National Corn Growers
Association (NCGA) urges Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) and
Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) to "complete action this
year on two legislative priorities that are vital to America's farmers
and to our rural economy."
"These priorities
include passage of the farm bill and providing comprehensive support
to renewable fuels as part of our nation's energy strategy," the
letter continues.
"We would like
to see new farm legislation enacted this year in an effort to stimulate
and stabilize a rural economy that has been in a downturn for five years
and there is no turn-around in sight," said NCGA Vice President
of Public Policy Bruce Knight.
"Unfortunately,"
Knight continued, "production agriculture did not share in the
economic growth of the Nineties, and has been hit with depressed commodity
prices, declining market opportunities, and increasing costs. New farm
legislation is needed to provide an economic safety net for rural America
and eliminate annual ad-hoc emergency assistance that Congress has provided
for the past four years."
In reference to
a renewable fuels standard, the letter plainly states, "New energy
legislation is needed to expand incentives for domestic production of
renewable fuels, which will reduce America's dependence on imported
petroleum and support prices for basic farm commodities.
The letter concludes
by saying, "Action on these key bills will provide a vital stimulus
to expand markets, enhance prices, and support rural communities dependent
on these industries - while improving national security."
NCGA urges its members
to tell their elected officials to support a renewables fuels standard
and the passage of the farm bill. To contact your Senator or Congressman,
visit the Legislative Action Center at the home page of the NCGA website.
Last reviewed
November 27, 2001
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