News Releases for January 2003
January 15, 2003
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Hoeven Headed To Washington To Push For Agriculture Disaster Aid, Missouri River Management Change
Governor Gets Briefing from Farm Group Reps After D.C. Trip
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven was briefed Friday by farm group representatives before he heads to Washington, D.C. this week to continue his push for aid to farmers and ranchers devastated by drought and floods in 2001 and 2002. The Governor met with North Dakota Grain Growers Association President Bruce Frietag and North Dakota Farm Bureau Vice President of Public Policy John Mittleider.
The Governor’s trip follows up on a visit made to Capitol Hill last week by a coalition of state and national farm organizations to press for disaster aid. This week, Hoeven will reinforce the message when he meets with President Bush’s chief agriculture advisor, Chuck Conner; U.S. Department of Agriculture Chief of Staff Dale Moore; Senator Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) and other key congressional leaders.
Hoeven will also meet with Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton for a second time to press for a change in the management of the Missouri River Manual, which determines river flows in the river basin. Hoeven has brought suit against the Army Corps of Engineers to conserve water in Lakes Sakakawea and Oahe, citing the negative economic, recreational and environmental impacts of current management practices. The Interior Department has also challenged the Corps for the impact of its management practices on wildlife in the upper basin.
“Providing assistance to American farmers and ranchers would be one of the most effective economic stimulus packages that Congress could pass,” Hoeven said. “Money that goes to producers percolates throughout the whole economy, helping rural communities as well as producers throughout the entire region.”
The Governor expressed appreciation for efforts made last week in Washington by North Dakotans participating in the Agricultural Disaster Coalition’s fly-in to the nation’s capital. More than 150 farmers, implement dealers, seed dealers and others met with congressional members and administration officials to urge support for emergency disaster assistance for crop and livestock producers who have suffered weather-related losses.
While crop insurance, the Livestock Compensation Program (LCP), and emergency haying and grazing of CRP help to offset the damage, the support these programs provide does not effectively relieve the devastation to crops and rangeland across a large part of America over the past two years, Hoeven said.
The Governor said he hopes that Washington will provide disaster assistance, but persistent pressure is needed.
“The farm bill offers some degree of price protection for farmers, but crop losses from drought and flooding are not adequately addressed,” Hoeven said. “Additional support is needed. A new growing season is quickly approaching, and our farmers need the help.”
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