The National Corn Growers Association is urging Chairman Richard Lugar (R-IN) and the Senate Agriculture Committee to take action on crop insurance reform as soon as possible, preferably prior to the expected adjournment of Congress in a few days. In their letter to the chairman, the Corn Growers underscored the positive consequences of the 1999 crop insurance premium discount and suggested that increasing the subsidy structure could be helpful: "We believe that the subsidy structure of S. 1580 [the reform bill put forth by Senators Roberts and Kerrey] - which is sponsored by ten members of this committee -- accomplishes our objective." Regarding Chairman Lugar's proposal to give cash payments to producers instead of increased crop insurance subsidies, the association recommends that such "risk reduction assistance payments be made available to producers in a limited number of states as a pilot program."

Click Here to read the entire letter to Chairman Lugar.