NCGA’s
Ag Budget Message: Stay the Course (2-8-05)
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today
stood fast in its strong support of the current farm bill as the
White House proposed cutting $587 million in farm program spending
for fiscal year 2006, which would generate $5.7 billion in savings
to the Federal Government over the next 10 years. The proposed cuts
are part of the administration’s move to cut the federal budget
deficit in half over the next five years.
“NCGA’s
long-standing policy supports funding of farm programs at current
levels and opposes reopening the farm bill before its expiration
in 2007,” said Jon Doggett, vice president of public policy.
“If we start altering farm programs in the middle of the farm
bill, we are going to have corn growers farming the programs and
not their farms.”
According to
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the department’s
key priorities will be met by the president’s newly released
budget, while exercising fiscal discipline to help meet the president’s
deficit reduction goals. "The agriculture budget provides funds
to protect America's food supply and agriculture systems, improve
nutrition and health, conserve and enhance our natural resources
and enhance economic opportunities for agricultural producers,”
said Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.
The administration’s
proposal would decrease the maximum amount farmers could receive
under the farm bill, reduce the amount of crop receiving payments,
eliminate marketing certificates and reduce spending in other areas
under Title I of the farm bill.
“NCGA
will be reviewing the budget proposals over the next few days,”
said Doggett. “However, our stance will remain that this farm
bill has worked, is working and should continue to work to provide
a safety net for producers, a good deal for taxpayers, an abundant,
affordable and safe food supply, and to support rural communities
that support agriculture.”