California Farmers Discuss Farm Bill at NFU Listening Session
For Immediate Release: August 24, 2006
Contact: Liz Friedlander, 202-314-3191FRESNO, Calif. (August 23, 2006) – National Farmers Union continued its nationwide Farm Bill Listening Sessions today by gathering in California. Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., also attended the session to listen to California’s farmers, ranchers and rural citizens share their visions and suggestions for the new farm bill. The 2002 Farm Bill is set to expire in 2007.
Adequate funding for dairy programs, particularly working to minimize volatility with a higher support level to offset increased production costs, was a key issue discussed. Producers also echoed what others across the nation have said and called for disaster assistance for agricultural producers.
“Congress should make supporting family farmers and ranchers a priority by adequately funding programs such as the Milk Income Loss Contract program, which keep producers afloat during hard times,” California Farmers Union President Joaquin Contente said.
“Additionally, we’ve faced devastating drought conditions across the state and disaster assistance is badly needed. Relying on ad-hoc payments or crop insurance programs isn’t going to cut it. Producers need a permanent disaster program to help them confront weather-related disasters,” Contente said.
NFU is hosting listening sessions across the country, to hear what rural Americans would like to see in the next farm bill. The organization will then bring the comments and opinions gathered at these listening sessions directly to policy-makers on Capitol Hill during the organization’s September fly-in.
“These listening sessions have provided a valuable insight into the issues facing those across the countryside,” NFU President Tom Buis said. “As negotiations begin for the 2007 Farm Bill, its imperative Congress remembers those who live and work in rural America and act deliberately in drafting this important legislation.”
Click here for a full listing of NFU Farm Bill Listening Sessions.
