[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 149 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11489-S11490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION REFORM ACT OF 1997

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, yesterday, the Senate has passed 
one of the most important agriculture bills it will consider this 
session. The Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act 
of 1997 not only represents a strong statement by the Senate on the 
importance of research to the future of American agriculture but also a 
substantive improvement in USDA's research efforts. I am pleased that 
both sides of the aisle have come together to invest in the future of 
agriculture and rural communities in this country. I am especially 
pleased with the cooperation I have enjoyed with the chairman of the 
Agriculture Committee, Senator Lugar, and his staff throughout the 
development of this important legislation.
  This bill ensures that our farmers and ranchers have the world's best 
science and technology to produce food and fiber, protect the 
environment upon which agriculture depends, and create rural economic 
opportunities. We are devoting over $1 billion in new funds over the 
next 5 years to advance the science and technology underlying our 
agricultural system. I am also pleased that we were able to find the 
resources to improve the nutrition of our Nation's poorest children.
  We have also extended the fund for rural America through 2002 and 
reaffirmed and enlarged our commitment to the pressing development 
needs of our rural communities. The fund was a key component of the 
1996 Farm bill, created to provide funds to help farmers and rural 
communities to transition into the new farm policy environment. I am 
pleased we have allocated an additional $300 million to these purposes 
so the fund will continue to emphasize creative research and rural 
development efforts.
  This bill contains substantial new initiatives for research and 
development of new uses for agricultural commodities. I believe that 
the most important way to increase farm income is to find new nonfood 
markets for agricultural commodities. New uses activities at the USDA 
will be conducted in a coordinated manner to garner the maximum benefit 
from the various research programs. We have authorized the USDA to use 
its resources to conduct research on lowering the cost of production of 
alternative agricultural products in cooperation with startup 
companies, including AARCC companies. Finally, AARCC is a priority for 
the new research initiative included in this bill.
  This bill also contains significant reforms in the current research 
programs. We have increased the accountability of the research and 
extension formula funds. We require the Secretary to consult with 
producers, industry and consumers in setting research priorities. We 
require external scientific peer-review of ARS research.
  Finally, we have taken the first steps in encouraging the inter-State 
cooperation on research and extension problems. States are required to 
dedicate a portion of research and extension funds to problems of 
national or multi-State significance. In the process I believe we are 
making our research system more responsive to critical issues and we 
hopefully will eliminate unnecessary duplication of efforts.
  Mr. President, we have increased the funding, competitiveness, 
accountability and credibility of U.S. agricultural research. We have 
let the world know that we are serious about equipping American 
agriculture for future food production changes. We also take steps to 
assure the taxpayer that research dollars are expended in the most 
efficient manner. We have done all this in a strong bipartisan manner. 
I think we can all take pride in the fact that today we have made a 
significant investment in a better future for not only the U.S. farmer 
and rancher but also in a better future for an increasingly crowded and 
hungry world.

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