Congressman Bob Etheridge
Guest Column - Farmers Left Out to Pasture in Bush Budget
February 22, 2005

In 2002, I worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft the Farm Bill, which made improvements in nutrition, conservation, and rural development initiatives, as well as in farm commodity programs. The 2002 Farm Bill represented a commitment to the nation's farmers that the federal government would stand with us and provide a basic level of support during hard economic times. Families made their planting and business decisions based on market demands, but with full knowledge of what to expect in government assistance.

When we look at its results today, we find that the program has not only been good for our nation's farmers, but it also will spend $15 billion less than originally estimated. When was the last time that you heard of a government program spending less than estimated? But, now the Bush Administration wants to change the rules in the middle of the game, leaving our farm families out to pasture.

The President's fiscal year 2006 budget plan takes at least $6 billion out of the pockets of America's farm families! While growers of program crops would be most impacted by the President's budget plan, the changes it recommends would touch almost every farmer in North Carolina, regardless of commodity.

The President proposes across the board cuts on support for program crops, like soybeans, wheat and cotton, and the dairy program. This is the equivalent of an extra five percent tax on federal payments. Under the President's plan, once a producer's total assistance under our federal farm programs is calculated, the government would simply take back five percent. This Bush Farm Tax is unacceptable. If the President believes farm families can afford such a tax, then he doesn't truly understand agriculture.

In addition, the President has proposed changes to crop insurance, payment limitations and other programs that would squeeze North Carolina's farm families. Grants to build our rural communities and provide opportunities for our farm families face serious cuts in the President's budget. Rural Community Development Grants, Rural Business Opportunity Grants and Rural Business Enterprise Grants are all eliminated.

Our fiscal crisis is real, and I strongly support a return to the values of balanced budgets. But, the President cannot expect to make up for his Administration's lack of fiscal responsibility by placing the burden on our nation's farm families. The President's Budget unfairly targets agriculture and cuts the bottom out of the farm safety net. I will keep working in Congress to make sure our farm families and rural communities get a fair shake.