Broadcast Newsline: April 9, 2010

Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairman Lincoln and Ranking Member Chambliss along with 28 Senators, sent a letter expressing appreciation for the Risk Management Agency or RMA’s willingness to reconsider its previous proposals as the Standard Reinsurance Agreement or SRA renegotiation proceeds.

This week’s Cotton Newsline is 4 cuts.  All cuts are Robbie Minnich, senior government relations representative for the National Cotton Council.

Suggested Introduction 1:
Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairman Lincoln and Ranking Member Chambliss along with 28 Senators, sent a letter expressing appreciation for the Risk Management Agency or RMA’s willingness to reconsider its previous proposals as the Standard Reinsurance Agreement or SRA renegotiation proceeds.  Robbie Minnich, senior government relations representative for the National Cotton Council, says the SRA is the contractual agreement between crop insurance companies and RMA which lays out the rules and payments to the companies from RMA.

Suggested Introduction 2:
Minnich says the letter noted the magnitude of concern regarding the nearly $7 billion in proposed cuts over the next 10 years of the program reflected in the second draft of the SRA.

Suggested Introduction 3:
According to Minnich there is a high level of concern that these cuts will affect program delivery and access to the program by farmers and ranchers.

Suggested Introduction 4:
Minnich explains, the U.S. Government Accountability Office recommended in April of 2009 that RMA conduct a study.

Suggested Conclusion:
Minnich says the National Cotton Council was supportive of this effort and also has joined with other national agriculture organizations in sending a letter to USDA expressing concern over the proposed cuts to the program and its effect on the program’s availability.  RMA is expected to release a third draft in either April or May.

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