An $8 Billion Aid Bill Introduced in House

August 11, 1999

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) has introduced a bill with $8 billion worth of assistance for farmers. American Farm Bureau Federation, however, while supporting Emerson's bill, warns nothing is being done to alleviate the drought in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southeast, so Congress will pressed to act on those needs as well.

AFBF President Dean Kleckner strongly supports Emerson's bill. "Unless Congress and the administration step forward with a broad-ranging assistance package, many farmers and ranchers will be forced to make tough decisions -- see their hard-earned and successful farms wither away or cash in their remaining equity and get out...the prospects for American agriculture as we know it are bleak."

Emerson's bill provides market loss payments equal to 100% of annual market transition payments; provides market loss payments to soybean and oilseed producers; prohibits existing and future unilateral agricultural trade sanctions; suspends loan deficiency and marketing loan payment limits for two years and fully funds the cotton Step 2 program.

It also provides market loss payments to livestock and dairy producers; expands emergency concessional food sales and food donation programs; forces the Conservation Reserve Program to the full 36.4 million acre current capacity; provides early access to market transition payments, and continues the crop insurance premium discount for crop year 2000.