Thursday, September 21, 2006
CONTACT: Barry E. Piatt
or Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551
DORGAN SAYS USTR COMMENTS REVEAL “SURPRISING INDIFFERENCE” TO WELL-BEING OF FAMILY FARMERS
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) said comments in Australia by the U.S. Trade Ambassador indicating the Bush Administration’s willingness to further cut U.S. farm price supports “reveals a surprising indifference to the well-being of America’s family farmers.”
“Every time the U.S. Trade Ambassador starts talking agriculture trade, the question seems to be how much more are they going to hurt family farmers?” Dorgan said.
“The U.S. Trade Ambassador travels halfway around the world to consult with Australia on how much she’s going to damage family farmers. That’s not exactly good public service, in my judgment,” Dorgan added.
“Instead of getting themselves ready to shred the family farm safety net, which may not be perfect, but still is pretty good, I think the Bush Administration ought to pay a little more attention to what’s going on in farm country right here at home. There’s a major drought going on, and family farmers need some help, not a further shredding of the safety net.”
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