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September 19, 2001
USDA Farm
Policy Book Consistent With Congressional Farm Bill
MEMPHIS – National Cotton Council Chairman
James Echols indicated today that the farm
policy document developed by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture is a welcome effort by the agency to define the
agricultural sector, discuss its place in domestic and world markets
and consider U.S. agricultural policy from a strategic
standpoint.
Echols also stated that the farm bill already
developed by the House Agriculture Committee, H.R. 2646, is
consistent with the broad objectives set out in the USDA document.
He noted that USDA’s document focuses on such critical issues as
offering a safety net in times of financial hardship due to factors
beyond the producer’s control; balancing support between commodity,
conservation, trade and infrastructure; promoting competitiveness;
and adopting flexibility and cropping choice as hallmarks of U.S.
policy.
"These critical areas were addressed by the House
Agriculture Committee in H.R. 2646," Echols said.
He noted
that, "the USDA document places great emphasis on market
orientation, competitiveness and effective marketing. It also tries
to come to grips with the diversity that exists in agriculture, from
small farms to large, efficient commercial enterprises -- both of
which must compete domestically and in an international arena
replete with subsidies."
Although the document does not
contain many specifics on particular farm policy options, Echols
stated that "its principles are consistent with the solid work
already done in the House Agriculture Committee on new farm policy.
The Administration’s statement contributes to the overall effort to
return U.S. agriculture to financial health."
"The farm
policy book shows that USDA is working to help Congress construct a
solid foundation for future farm policy in the United States,"
Echols said. "It indicates that the Administration is committed to
constructing meaningful, effective long-term policy that enables
farmers to weather the current economic crisis and continue to
provide competitively priced food and fiber to U.S. and foreign
consumers."
The National Cotton Council of America’s (NCC)
mission is to ensure the ability of all U.S. cotton industry
segments to compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton,
oilseed and manufactured product markets at home and
abroad. | |