[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   INTRODUCTION OF THE AGRICULTURAL MEDIATION IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1994

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                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 24, 1994

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offer today a bill, the 
Agricultural Mediation Improvement Act of 1994, which amends Title V of 
the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987. Eighteen states--Alabama, 
Arkansas, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, 
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, 
South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming--have voluntarily 
adopted mediation programs to provide producers and taxpayers the 
benefits of cost-effective dispute resolution within the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture.
  For the last 7 years, the 50 percent-80 percent success rate of the 
program allowed thousands of farmers to resolve their disputes and meet 
their debt obligations during the mid-1980's, a time of great financial 
hardship. Vice President Gore hailed this program as a model for 
alternative dispute resolution in all government agencies in his 
National Performance Review. A 1989 cost-benefit analysis conducted by 
USDA-FmHA documented that $3.20-$5.92 is saved by foregoing the costs 
of the appeals process for each $1 spent in mediation.
  This bill expands the jurisdiction of these successful state programs 
to permit resolution of other types of disputes between USDA and 
producers: wetlands determinations (made within USDA); farm program and 
conservation program compliance; rural water loan programs; grazing on 
national forest lands; pesticides; and other actions by the Department 
of Agriculture that the Secretary may deem appropriate.
  As a low cost, neutral method of facilitating disputes, mediation 
avoids internal administrative appeals processes and costly court 
litigation. The bill benefits producers, provides more flexibility for 
State programs, and saves taxpayer dollars. I urge my colleagues to 
support this cost-effective program.

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