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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS:
Mimi Ricketts,
NCGA, 636-733-9004, Ext. 112
Rhondalee Dean-Royce, NCGA, 202-628-7001
Visit the NCGA website, http://www.ncga.com,
or E-mail at corninfo@ncga.com
NCGA’s
Ag Budget Message: Stay the Course (2-8-2005)
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.”
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The National Corn
Growers Association mission is to create and increase opportunities
for corn growers. NCGA represents nearly 33,000 members, 26 affiliated
state corn grower organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers
who contribute to state checkoff programs.
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