Another Try for $9 Billion

April 30, 2001

American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman has sent another letter to Congress uring support for $9 billion in federal income assistance for farmers in fiscal 2001. AFBF and 22 other farm groups initially made the funding request in February when Congress began reviewing the federal budget.

"The conferees on the fiscal 2002 budget resolution will soon begin the difficult task of merging budget resolutions passed by the Senate and House of Representatives," Stallman stated. "The resulting blueprint of federal spending and tax cuts provides an opportunity to assist our nation's farmers and ranchers."

Stallman noted that existing program payments have risen sharply in recent years due to historic slumping prices and low farm income, coupled with weather and disaster-related losses. While "U.S. farmers and livestock producers would much prefer receiving their income from the marketplace...unfortunately, the forecast for 2001 is for continued chronic low prices and increasing input costs that will likely necessitate further emergency assistance," according to Stallman.

In addition, Stallman said that spending levels established by the budget resolution would determine the size and scope of the next farm bill. He cited the importance of the budget resolution to provide sufficient funding to "develop a farm bill that will provide an adequate safety net for farmers and ranchers" and adequately fund efforts such as conservation, rural development, research and export programs.

Stallman urged members of Congress to "support the highest possible level of agricultural funding in FY 2002 through FY 2011 in order to ensure the next farm bill provides farmers and ranchers with an adequate safety net." He said that Farm Bureau also supports $350 million of funding outlined in the Senate budget resolution to help livestock producers implement unfunded mandates.