Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) says farmer-related cases alleging discrimination in Montana "continue to drag on unnecessarily."  He has received requests for assistance in 11 cases in the state; USDA reports 19 complaints from the state.  That puts it on a "par with much larger states and much higher on a per capita basis," says Burns.

In a meeting with Rosalind Gray, director of USDA's Office of Civil Rights, Burns asked about the status of the 11 Montana cases, mostly involving women and native Americans who allege discrimination by USDA in its loan and credit programs.  Burns says he was told USDA statistics show Montana has 19 total complaints.

Of the 11 cases on which Burns is working, USDA has offered financial settlements in three.  The others are at various stages of processing.  On some, says Burns, USDA has made findings of no discrimination or no jurisdiction.  In cases where a finding of no discrimination is made, a farmer is entitled to a review before an administrative law judge.

"I appreciate Ms. Gray taking the time to meet with me," says Burns, "and while progress has been made in resolving these cases, many continue to drag on unnecessarily.  Some of these Montanans have complained to me that their experience with the Office of Civil Rights has been worse than the alleged discrimination that brought them there to begin with."

It appears discrimination against farmers in some USDA programs "has been a problem," says burns.  "I would encourage anyone who feels they have been discriminated against in any USDA program to contact me or the Office of Civil Rights."