NFU Backs Peterson Farm Bill

July 16, 2001

The National Farmers Union (NFU) says a farm bill introduced by Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) is "a comprehensive and visionary farm bill that will provide farmers the opportunity to receive more income from the marketplace and less from the government, stem the economic crisis in agriculture, and fix the inequities that have been created by the Freedom to Farm law."

NFU President Leland Swenson said, "We applaud Congressman Peterson for introducing this comprehensive farm bill that provides a new vision for a new century of family-farm agriculture. We are proud to be partners with the congressman and thousands across rural America in support of this plan that not only provides the necessary vision, but, also new ideas and tools to help family farmers and ranchers."

Peterson's bill provides a counter-cyclical, non-recourse marketing loan that takes into account producer costs and productivity to address depressed commodity prices and the economic crisis faced by America's family farmers and ranchers.

According to NFU, the bill also provides "assurance of the competitiveness of U.S. commodities in domestic and foreign markets," planting flexibility, the establishment of limited, non-commercial commodity reserves to ensure a U.S. long-term commitment to renewable fuels and humanitarian assistance, the creation of a limited production-loss reserve program that would provide a supplement to risk-management programs, a price and income support program for dairy that is funded at a level that will enable efficient, family-sized dairy producers to receive a reasonable return for their efforts, an energy policy that emphasizes a commitment to renewable sources of energy made from commodities produced on U.S. farms, protection against agriculture and food industry consolidation, expanded conservation programs, and a "renewed commitment" to value-added opportunities, rural housing, economic development and infrastructure.