NCGA Provides Budget Recommendations to Senate and House Agriculture Committee Leadership (12-1-05)

In a letter sent to Senate and House Agriculture committee leadership, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) provided recommendations on how differences between the Senate and House budget reconciliation proposals can be resolved while ensuring minimal adverse impacts on agriculture programs in the final conference report.

NCGA, along with seven agriculture industry organizations, gave recommendations on several issues regarding portions of the budget as they pertain to agriculture spending programs.

NCGA recommended the total spending reductions should not exceed the $3 billion mark over the fiscal ears 2006-2010. Other recommendations included capping reductions at $1.033 billion in commodity program spending and $734 million in conservation program reductions.

“We recognize this will be a difficult process,” said NCGA director of public policy Sam Willet. “We hope the committee will give consideration to our thoughts.”

The letter also stated that the balance of required spending reductions should be divided between food stamp reforms and other authorized 2002 farm bill programs, in addition to preserving the baseline funding for farm programs.

“We again thank you for your efforts to minimize the impacts of spending reductions on programs in the agricultural budget and look forward to working closely with you on this important matter,” the letter states.

To view the letter in its entirety, please click on the following link.