[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 149 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11398-S11399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS CONFERENCE REPORT

  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the fiscal year 
1998 Agriculture appropriations conference agreement that was passed 
last night. There is much to be proud of in the conference agreement 
and I feel it is another step forward in implementing the 1996 farm 
bill.
  I am particularly pleased with the inclusion of the Grams-Feingold 
amendment directing the Office of Management and Budget to conduct a 
study of the economic impacts of the Northeast Interstate Dairy 
Compact.
  I will not reiterate my long-standing opposition to implementation of 
the compact or the history surrounding its inclusion in the 1996 farm 
bill. But along with my colleagues in the House and Senate who have an 
interest in equitable and lasting dairy reform, I remain committed to 
bringing fairness to Minnesota's dairy farmers.
  There has been some disagreement as to what should be included in 
such a study. I know the senior Senator from Vermont has addressed us 
on more than one occasion in defense of the compact. More recently he 
outlined his concerns regarding what he felt should be included in the 
OMB study.
  However, I must stress that these are the remarks of one Senator and 
should not be misconstrued by OMB or anyone else as the official 
position of the U.S. Senate.
  The conference agreement clearly calls for a comprehensive economic 
evaluation of the direct and indirect effects of the compact. I welcome 
the results of a study I expect to be free of outside influences. I am 
confident this compact will be exposed as a misguided, ill-fated 
attempt at market manipulation.
  Mr. President, the OMB study in this conference agreement will help 
us assess the compact's effects on the poor, needy senior citizens and 
children, as well as the Nation's dairy producers.
  It is to be completed by December 31, 1997, and I will closely 
observe its progress in order to ensure that the study is conducted in 
a fair and equitable manner and is not manipulated by outside 
interests. I expect the administration to allow an independent study 
that is not influenced by any USDA or White House political agenda.
  Another provision I am pleased was included will prohibit Agriculture 
Market Transition Act [AMTA] payments to a producer who plants wild 
rice on contract acreage, unless the payment is reduced proportionally.
  As it currently stands, producers of other commodities who choose to 
plant wild rice on land designated for other crops can receive both 
their AMTA payment and the proceeds for sale of

[[Page S11399]]

their wild rice. This has placed wild rice farmers at a disadvantage. 
It violates the intent of the law and it also results in unfair 
competition.
  I am pleased the House and Senate conferees agreed with my amendment 
and chose to include it in this agreement. The provision clarifies 
congressional intent and restores fairness to our farm payment system.
  I also want to make special note of the research funding contained in 
this bill for fusarium head blight, commonly known as scab, and 
vomitoxin.
  During a recent trip through Minnesota's Red River Valley, wheat and 
barley producers stressed time and time again the economic impact these 
diseases have had on their crops. Minnesota is again experiencing an 
epidemic of scab which marks the fifth straight year the disease has 
been seen to some degree in the Northern Plains.
  When added to contributions producers and the State of Minnesota have 
made to scab and vomitoxin research, I believe that the provisions 
contained in the research titles of this agreement are an appropriate 
approach to the Federal commitment regarding long-term basic research.
  Mr. President, as I have stated many times both here and in 
Minnesota, we must give our farmers the tools to manage their business 
and not hamstring their creativity and productivity from Washington.
  Although there is much work to be done regarding dairy and regulatory 
reform and risk-management, this conference agreement is a step in the 
right direction. I look forward to its immediate passage.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and I suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, may I inquire as to the state of the 
business of the Senate?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate is in morning business, with 
Senators permitted to speak up to 5 minutes each.
  Mr. ASHCROFT. May I inquire when that expires?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Twelve o'clock.
  Mr. ASHCROFT. I ask unanimous consent that, joined by my colleague 
from Arkansas, Senator Tim Hutchinson, we be allowed to speak in 
morning business for 25 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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