Grassley-Dorgan Amendment Defeated, NCGA notes (11-4-05)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauds the Senate for defeating the payment limitations amendment offered by Sens. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) to the FY2006 Budget Reconciliation bill today. The amendment was struck down by a vote of 53-46. Because of the vote, no changes will be made to provisions outlined in the 2002 farm bill for payment limitations or other provisions in the bill, such as considerations related to conservation, nutrition and export programs.

“NCGA has the taken the position that any fundamental changes to current farm policy before 2007 should be avoided, said Sam Willett, NCGA senior director of public policy. “Changing programs and the rules midstream would disrupt the long-term planning and financial decisions of too many farmers.”

The major provisions of the amendment included:

• Reduce payment limits from $360,000 to $250,000
• Eliminate the three entity rule
• Require direct attribution
• Mandate a measurable standard to show producers are actively engaged in farming.

In a letter to Sens. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, and Saxby Chambliss, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee (R-Ga.) on Monday, NCGA and agricultural groups encouraged the senators to maintain the current payment limitations policy, as it provides stability for farmers for the balance of the 2002 Farm Bill.