News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

October 18, 2005

                                       Contact: Joanne Peters
                                       Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge Applauds USDA Decision to Cancel N.C. FSA Office Closure Plan

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, today applauded a decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to cancel a controversial plan to close 26 of North Carolina's 77 Farm Service Agency Offices. Etheridge had led a bipartisan group of 52 members in opposing the plan.

"This is a great victory for North Carolina's farmers! I am delighted that the USDA has backed off its irresponsible plan to close or relocate FSA offices that our farmers depend on without first undertaking a serious analysis of the effects of that plan. I hope that in the future the USDA will work with the Agriculture Committee to advance our shared goal of modernizing the FSA without jeopardizing its current services that are so important to North Carolina farmers," said Etheridge.

The USDA was in the latter stages of a program known as "FSA Tomorrow," which would close as many as 713 of the country's 2353 offices. The USDA sent a letter to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) today informing members of Congress that the plan had been cancelled.

On September 30, Etheridge sent a letter cosigned by a bipartisan group of 52 representatives to Congressional appropriators urging them to stop the plan. The letter asked the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee to include language in the Agriculture Appropriations Act that would prevent any funds from being used to close or relocate a county or local FSA office unless the Secretary of Agriculture has first demonstrated to the Congress the cost effectiveness and enhancement of program delivery will not be adversely affected. The Senate has already adopted such language.

Etheridge also cosponsored bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) that would prevent any FSA office from being closed until the current Farm Bill expires on September 30, 2007.


-30-

   
   
   
   

| About Bob Etheridge | Constituent Services | Contact Bob | Email Bob | Home |

| Just for Children | Legislative Issues | The 2nd District | Press Room | Visit Washington |

Privacy Policy