The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) applauded the
successful conclusion of the Farm Bill debate as the Senate today passed a
six-year farm bill by a vote of 64 to 35.
The conference report accompanying HR 2646, The Farm Bill, was passed
by the House of Representatives on May 2, and following the decisive vote
today by the Senate, the bill will be sent to the President for signature.
“The farmer producers of NAWG are indeed thankful for congressional
passage of this farm bill,” said Gary Broyles, a Montana farmer and
President of NAWG. “Our organization has worked on a farm bill for two
years, and it is gratifying to have a bill in place for the 2002 crop
year.”
In testimony before the House Committee on Agriculture, NAWG provided
recommendations based on the organization’s research. NAWG’s proposal
included a well balanced “tool kit” of support, consisting of market loan
assistance, as well as fixed and countercyclical payments. The final bill
that passed out of the House and Senate represents a compromise that
provides broad-based support for agriculture and rural communities.
“Politics has been set aside for policy,” Broyles added, “as Congress
has passed a farm bill that will provide security for farmers, as well as
for lenders.”
NAWG has been concerned that the insecurity under existing law has
resulted in the reluctance of lenders to extend financing. Four
consecutive years of emergency payments illustrate the seriousness of the
situation in farm country. This bill will give farmers, as well as their
lenders and suppliers security for the current crop and the duration of
the bill.
“We recognize that many people played a large role in bringing us to
this point,” said Daren Coppock, NAWG’s CEO. “We appreciate the many hours
and the patience of conferees and staff required to bring this bill to
fruition. We look for the President to sign the bill so that the
challenges of implementation can be addressed.” ###
