CONGRESSMAN SALAZAR: “BUDGET HURTS FARMERS WHEN WE NEED THEM MOST”

Salazar Calls for Honest Budgeting Principles

WASHINGTON, DC – The only active farmer in Colorado’s Congressional delegation, Congressman John T. Salazar (CO-3) today released an analysis of how the President’s proposed budget cuts will hurt farmers and ranchers. With reductions in crop payments, crop insurance, and commodity caps and a proposal to close Farm Service Agency offices, Salazar called for honest budgeting principles that recognize and strengthen agriculture’s contribution to our local economy and energy supply:

“We need policies to help keep farmers and ranchers on the land. I understand we’re facing a budget crunch, but an honest budget would recognize how important agriculture is to our economy and continue funding farm programs. Balancing the budget on the backs of family farmers is not the answer.

“This budget hurts farmers when we need them most. Now is the time to be promoting farmers’ and ranchers’ contributions to our economy and exploring ways to increase their contribution to our energy supply. It would be a sad day in America if we become dependent on other countries to produce our food as we have become dependent on other countries to produce our energy.

“As these proposals work their way through Congress, I will put my energy into developing incentives for alternative energy programs and making Colorado’s farmers and producers a real part of our nation’s future.”