[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 132 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1856]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             INTRODUCTION OF THE CONSERVATION SECURITY ACT

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                            HON. DAVID MINGE

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2000

  Mr. MINGE. Mr. Speaker, today, I along with twenty four House 
Members, introduced the Conservation Security Act. We believe now is 
the time for Congress to make conservation a cornerstone of the next 
Farm Bill. And promoting fiscally sound, environmentally friendly 
conservation farm policy will result in win-win-win situations for 
farmers, for the environment and for the American taxpayer.
  This legislation will allow for conservation to become an integral 
part of agriculture by providing opportunities for all interested 
farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural producers to participate in a 
voluntary, incentive-based federal conservation program. Landowners and 
operators would enter into Conservation Security Contracts and Plans 
and receive payments based on the type of conservation practices they 
are willing to undertake, plan, implement and maintain. For instance, 
conservation practices can, range from soil and residue management, 
contour farming, and cover cropping to comprehensive farm plans that 
take into account all the resource concerns of the agricultural 
operation.
  The Conservation Security Act will establish three tiers of voluntary 
conservation practices, plans and payment levels while allowing for 
continued participation in other agriculture conservation programs. A 
participant may also receive payments based on established practices 
and for adopting innovative practices and systems, pilot testing, new 
technologies, and new conservation techniques. Participation would be 
voluntary and would enable farmers to implement plans they believe in 
without sacrificing income that they might go broke, while helping to 
preserve diversified, low-input, family size farming and ranching 
operations.
  The Conservation Security Act will benefit the environment and 
augment on-farm income. And I think a majority would agree that the 
issues of conservation, land stewardship and farm and ranch income are 
highly important to the public.

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