Implementation Problems of Farm Bill Negatively Impacting Peanut Growers

Congressman Terry Everett Expresses Concern Over Implementation Problems of Peanut Provision of New Farm Bill

Congressman Terry Everett, R-Rehobeth, is concerned over problems in the implementation of the peanut program's provisions in the newly-enacted federal Farm Bill and the negative impact upon Southeast peanut growers. Peanut growers are not only under stress due to the slowness of the transition to the new program, but the recent bad weather at harvest time has resulted in reduced yields and quality for the 2002 crop year.

"This has been a long and difficult struggle for our peanut farmers," Congressman Everett said. "Although the U.S. House passed a farm bill last October, the Senate failed to pass a farm bill until after the first of the year. Farmers were further stalled when Senate leaders needlessly prolonged the House-Senate conference. In the end, the final farm bill largely resembled the original House legislation but producers were again delayed in planning, arranging financing, and planting crops."

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association has been in contact with Congressman Everett over the USDA's implantation of the new peanut program. APPA president, Carl Sanders, highlighted the problems of producers. "The delay and questions in making regulatory decisions put growers in a tremendous bind financially. Every phase of the program was delayed. The counter-cyclical payments and marketing loan provisions have been delayed and difficult. This is a time of year when growers need payments to pay farm debt. It's not right for growers to suffer because the USDA cannot do its job."

"While the peanut program is new to everyone, there is no reason that growers should be penalized because of delayed action of the government," Everett said. "I will certainly support the peanut growers' efforts to correct any action taken by the USDA contrary to the intent of the legislation.

"I will call for another meeting between peanut state members and USDA to urge these problems be quickly solved," Everett added.