Farmers Union Expresses Disappointment

October 8, 2001

The National Farmers Union (NFU) expressed its disappointment that the farm bill approved by the House "continues the philosophy and policies of the failed 1996 Freedom to Farm law." NFU President Leland Swenson said the bill fails to provide "new vision and will impose reliance on government supports to sustain American agriculture and rural communities for the next ten years."

NFU, in agreement with the Bush administration, feels the House-passed version of agriculture policy does not target assistance to those who need it most. "This bill fails to direct assistance to working farmers, based on what farmers are growing today rather than on what they yielded 20 years ago," Swenson said. "Among its shortcomings, it does not provide an adequate counter-cyclical safety net or make needed improvements to the dairy program."

Farmers Union tried to work with members of Congress to establish "vital renewable fuels standards and infrastructure, to adequately address concentration in agriculture and food processing and to provide tools for farmers to get a decent price from the market" but failed.

Swenson said NFU now will look toward working with the Senate to restructure and improve farm policy. "Our work is not finished," Swenson said. "We hope the Senate will do better. America's family farmers and ranchers deserve better."