Drought Commission Nears Recommendations

May 3, 2000

With a final May 16 meeting approaching, the National Drought Commission will soon recommend ways the government can help farmers and ranchers cope with drought, REUTERS reports.

The recommendations will come when some sections of the country are caught in a serious drought and other parts of the country – including the Midwest – are threatened by drier than normal weather.

House and Senate staff negotiators are also preparing for a conference committee on crop insurance legislation. Crop insurance offers farmers protection against drought and other weather-related disasters. Last year’s East Coast drought brought increased scrutiny of the crop insurance program from some Northeastern lawmakers who had traditionally paid it little attention.