[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H705]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SUPPORT HABITAT ENHANCEMENT ROTATION OPTION (HERO) BILL

  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, American farmers are facing enormously 
difficult times. Producers continue to struggle with plentiful supplies 
and low prices. While there are no easy answers to this problem, there 
are some steps we can take to help farmers.
  Today, this Member is introducing a bill based upon extensive farmer 
and conservationist input, which can be part of the solution and 
provide much-needed agriculture relief. The legislation is known as the 
HERO bill, which stands for Habitat Enhancement Rotation Option.
  The HERO program would be voluntary and allow producers to enroll up 
to 25 percent of their cropland for periods of 2 to 4 years. It would 
complement the longer-term Conservation Reserve Program and thus 
provide farmers with payments as well as additional flexibility.
  The HERO program is designed to be used during times like the present 
with high supplies and low prices. In addition to helping farmers, it 
would provide significant environmental benefits. It would help 
rehabilitate cropland, enhance soil and water conservation, and improve 
wildlife habitat.
  Madam Speaker, the HERO program programs several options for farmers. 
For instance, producers could break the disease cycle, the weed cycles, 
plant short-term cover crops and so on. It could be used by producers 
seeking to establish permanent pasture on marginal cropland.
  I urge my colleagues to consider cosponsoring this legislation.

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