Glickman Reiterates Insistence on Targeting

September 22, 1999

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman has told the conferees he doesn't want Congress to increase 1996 farm law payments across the board but instead target assistance to farmers most in need.

The request came as part of a five and a half page single spaced letter to Rep. Joe Skeen, chairman of the House agriculture appropriations subcommittee, detailing the Clinton Administration's issues of concern.

Senators did not provide any of the requested increases for risk management education, research and development for new crops, outreach and civil rights and to pay costs said Glickman. At the appropriated level in the bill, he adds, "the agency would be able to support fewer staff years than in 1999 at a time when it faces increased demands to provide even more assistance to farmers in managing risk."

He also urged Congress to lift the cap on Commodity Credit Corporation appropriations to reimburse CCC for its net realized loss. Increased demand for loan deficiency payments along with emergency and ongoing CCC programs have "nearly depleted the corporation's authority to borrow to carry out these activities," says Glickman.

Both the Senate and House appropriations bills place limits on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program, "two mandatory programs which are key facets of (USDA's) total conservation program," Glickman said. "I strongly urge the conferees to provide adequate resources for conservation efforts."