[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 60 (Friday, May 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4668-S4669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          AGRICULTURAL POLICY

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, much has been reported lately about the 
situation facing America's farmers and ranchers. Carryover stocks for 
some grains are at their lowest levels since the 1940's--causing record 
high grain prices.
  I think, in fact, that wheat is up to about $8 a bushel. There is 
only one problem. In our State, nobody has very much wheat. In fact, 
some have none at all. The $8 price is good, but it does not really 
reflect that it is going to be benefiting very many producers in the 
State of Kansas and other States in the Midwest.
  Meanwhile, cattle supplies are at a 10-year high causing extremely 
low cattle prices. Last year, the average FED steer sold for $80 per 
hundredweight, while today's bids are at $55 per hundredweight.
  I have always argued the best farm policy is the marketplace. If 
farmers received a fair price for their products,

[[Page S4669]]

they would not need any Federal dollars. This year, Congress passed a 
farm bill which finally took the Government out of the farming and 
ranching business.
  The Federal Agricultural Improvement Act significantly reduces the 
Government's role in pricing, marketing, and planting decisions of 
farmers and ranchers. No longer will the Government tell farmers what 
and how much to plant.
  Three days ago, the President held a meeting to discuss the situation 
now facing the cattle industry. Unfortunately, the Clinton 
administration has helped contribute to the troubles of cattle 
ranchers.
  While Mother Nature is largely responsible for low carryover grain 
stocks, the Clinton administration announced a program which idled 
nearly 5 million corn acres in 1995. In other words, the administration 
told farmers that Washington is better at making planting decisions 
than they are.
   Mr. President, idling 5 million corn acres is the same as idling 1 
year of corn production in the State of Ohio--one of our Nation's most 
important Corn Belt States.
  In fact, under the Republican farm bill, this year's corn plantings 
are expected to increase by 15 percent over last year. Farmers are 
finally planting for the marketplace and not for the Government.

  As grain prices have risen, farmers have asked for an early out on 
their conservation reserve program contracts, in order to respond to a 
growing world demand for American grain.
  It is estimated that 9 of the 36 million acres in the CRP are not 
environmentally sensitive. Even though the administration had the 
authority to respond in time for planting, they refused to do so. In 
fact, every time the administration has announced an early out for CRP 
acres, it has been too late for spring planting. Several of my 
colleagues have joined me in expressing concern about the European beef 
hormone ban. For years, there had been no action from the Clinton White 
House. Suddenly when beef prices hit a 10 year low, the administration 
files a WTO case. I am encouraged that the administration has finally 
taken notice of this issue.
  But the administration cannot have it both ways. Administration 
officials have repeatedly criticized the beef industry. Secretary of 
the Interior Bruce Babbitt has led the Clinton administration's war on 
the west.
  The administration has raised grazing fees without input from 
Congress. They have locked land away from reasonable development and 
multiuse management. They have devalued property without compensation. 
Worst of all, they are trying to manage this land from Washington.
  Through Government manipulation of the markets and a series of 
harmful decisions, the administration has worsened the crises now 
facing farmers and ranchers.
  As I travel the country, I am reminded by farmers and ranchers that 
they are taxpayers too. And as taxpayers, they want less of Washington 
in their everyday lives.
  Despite all the rhetoric from the other side of the aisle, 
Republicans have passed a farm bill that will prepare farmers and 
ranchers for the 21st century.
  This farm bill provides farmers and ranchers with more flexibility, 
more certainty, and far less Government involvement in the agricultural 
industry. America's farmers and ranchers want less Government intrusion 
in their production and marketing decisions. It is high time the 
Clinton administration heeds their call.
  Notwithstanding considerable Democratic opposition, this was a 
bipartisan bill. In fact, Senator Lugar and Senator Leahy stood here on 
the floor and managed the bill in a bipartisan way, and on the House 
side there was bipartisan support. That effort was led by my colleague 
from Kansas, Congressman Pat Roberts, chairman of the House Agriculture 
Committee, who I believe will be joining other colleagues in the Senate 
next year.

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