[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 26 (Tuesday, March 4, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORT THE CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM

  (Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support for the Conservation Reserve Program, or CRP. Originally it was 
used as a supply management and conservation tool. Over time, it has 
become the conservation program of choice for most producers. In 
addition, it has gained the full-fledged support of many different 
conservation, environmental, and sportsmen's groups.
  The 1996 farm bill gave the U.S. Department of Agriculture broad 
authority to develop a CRP policy that would provide the Nation with 
the most conservation benefits for each of the dollars invested. USDA 
has worked hard to develop such a policy, and I applaud their efforts.
  However, many of my constituents, like me, are concerned with the 
untimely manner in which the rule was issued. Many farmers in my 
district are agonizing over whether their land will be accepted into 
the CRP or if they should prepare to plant a crop.
  I will be keeping a very close eye on how USDA handles the sign-up 
process, and will be more than ready to act should things not go as 
planned. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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