The National Association of Wheat Growers has made trade, farm income protection and the environment the top priorities for 1999.  "Our best hope for (price and income) recovery is to get wheat exports moving," said NAWG President Jim Stonebrink.

NAWG is asking the Clinton Administration to approve immediately Niki Trading Company's request to buy $500 million in U.S. ag products for Iran; seeking an end to trade sanctions that now preclude U.S. wheat from 11% of the world market, and is working with U.S. Wheat Associates to correct "unfair export subsidies" of the European Union and "monopolistic trading practices" of Canada.

Where farm income protection is concerned, NAWG wants to improve farm cash flow by lifting loan caps and reinstating market loss payments, and reform of crop insurance "to develop affordable alternatives" to protect against crop and revenue losses.

On the environment, the wheat industry supports continued availability of phosphine,  a crop protection tool that farmers and grain handlers use to control insects, and the use of sound science in implementing the Food Quality Protection Act.