U.S. Supplier of Last Resort, Says Kleckner

August 26, 1999

American Farm Bureau Federation President Dean Kleckner says the United States has become "the world's grain bin -- we are the supplier of last resort instead of being first in line." Affecting low crop prices the most, he says, are the lack of market access, trade barriers and sanctions and the lack of fair trade rules throughout the world.

In an interview with Farm Bureau News, Kleckner did not blame the 1996 farm law for the income reductions expected this year. "If the other things we were promised when freedom to farm was being considered would be enacted -- such as regulatory reform, a workable crop insurance program and improved access to international markets -- I believe freedom to farm would help trigger an ag recovery faster than any other program."

There are "significant inequities in trade," he said, such as tariffs, sanctions and unfair subsidies. "One of the major commitments Congress made in the 1996 farm bill was to provide more trade opportunities, and that has not happened."