NCC: Leave Farm Law Funding Intact

The NCC joined 34 organizations on a letter urging the Senate and House appropriations committee chairmen to reject provisions that would substantially alter the current farm law during development of the FY04 agriculture appropriations measure.

June 4, 2003
Contact: Marjory Walker
(901) 274-9030

MEMPHIS – The National Cotton Council joined 34 organizations on a letter urging the Senate and House appropriations committee chairmen to reject provisions that would substantially alter the current farm law during development of the FY04 agriculture appropriations measure.

Delivered to the panels’ chairmen, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Rep. Bill Young (R-FL), the letter was signed by key commodity and agriculture organizations and groups representing interests ranging from banking to conservation. The letter urged the chairmen and their committee members to reject any provisions which would "substantially alter the delicate balance and allocation of financial resources embodied in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002."

The letter expressed the concern that any significant modification of the funding balance for production agriculture, conservation, risk management, nutrition and export promotion programs in the 2002 farm law will undermine its effectiveness. It reiterated that the farm law complies with budget and international trade obligations, addresses the stability of the U.S. production base, protects the nation’s important natural resources and enhances nutrition and food assistance programs for U.S. citizens.

"Our farmers and ranchers need a predictable, stable farm policy in order to make responsible planting and marketing decisions," the letter stated.

The letter also will be submitted for the record by Marc Curtis, a Leland, MS, farmer. He is presenting testimony today on behalf of the commodity groups at a House Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development, and Research hearing to review conservation technical assistance and the implementation of the conservation title of the farm law.

The NCC’s mission is ensuring the ability of all industry segments to compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseed and U.S.-manufactured product markets at home and abroad.