Corn Growers Encouraged by Harkin Proposal (11-01-01)

Lee Klein-chairman of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and a Battle Creek, Neb., farmer-stated that his organization is "encouraged by the positive steps taken by Senator Tom Harkin to create a Farm Bill package that will serve as a guide to U.S. agriculture policy for the next five years."

Senator Harkin, D-Iowa, Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, has worked closely with the NCGA and other leading farm groups, such as the American Soybean Association, to ensure the next Farm Bill creates a strong, consensus farm policy that reaches across regional boundaries, and one that is compatible with the diverse needs of producers throughout the country.

"Senator Harkin's proposal moves toward restoring equity in farm policy," Klein continued, "and includes components that should appeal to farm state Republicans and Democrats in a bipartisan manner." Although the bill's payment limitation remains a serious concern for the NCGA, it goes a long way to improve domestic supports and agriculture trade policy.

The Harkin bill includes provisions very similar to the NCGA counter-cyclical payment language. "A core of NCGA Farm Bill policy is the counter-cyclical payment program. NCGA has worked hard for a policy that brings workable solutions to the present farm situation. Innovative programs such as the NCGA counter-cyclical payment program are just one of the many ways we work to represent our members," Klein concluded.

For more information about NCGA and this issue see http://www.ncga.com/.

Last reviewed November 1, 2001