News Releases for April 2007
April 03, 2007
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Hoeven Testifies On Farm Bill Before Senate Committee In Fargo
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today testified before the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry at a field hearing in Fargo to discuss the next Farm Bill and its importance to North Dakota as a leading agriculture state.
“I believe that the next Farm Bill needs to be based on the same principles as the current one,” Hoeven told committee members. “It should be a long-term bill that contains a counter-cyclical safety net that is fair to all crops. The bill should have strong programs for renewable energy, value-added projects and conservation, including incentives to expand biomass opportunities. The Farm Bill also needs to have meaningful risk management provisions that offer producers support when crop losses occur.”
Hoeven said enhanced risk management provisions could take the form of a crop insurance option designed to fill the “gap” between traditional coverage levels and historical yields, or it could take the form of a permanent disaster title to support producers who have had losses due to drought, flooding, disease, or some other natural setback.
“Both of these options should be explored working closely with our agricultural groups, whose members provide our nation with the safest, most affordable, and abundant food supply in the world, and whose livelihoods depend on a reliable, supportive Farm Bill,” Hoeven said.
Hoeven told the committee that a strong Farm Bill is of the utmost importance to the nation. In its particulars, the legislation will address issues that the citizens of North Dakota and the people of the United States have made clear they find critical for the future, he said. These include:
- Producing a quality, safe and affordable food supply.
- Supporting an economic sector of vital importance to our region and our nation – agriculture and value-added agriculture.
- Maintaining a natural, productive environment.
- Developing sustainable, renewable energy resources independent of foreign influence for the long-term security of our nation.
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