[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 98 (Thursday, July 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 13, 2004

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4766) making 
     appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and 
     Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2005, and for other purposes:
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Chairman, I rise in favor of H.R. 4766. While I intend 
to vote for this bill, I support my friend and colleague, John 
Peterson's request that conferees work to increase the producer value 
added grants program and the rural broadband loans program. These two 
programs are extremely important to the future of rural areas like 
those found in my district of western Wisconsin.
  Furthermore, I strongly urge conferees to do more to meet the funding 
needs of voluntary conservation programs that serve farmers and 
ranchers while also helping to improve soil, water and air quality, and 
provide critical wildlife and fish habitat.
  Farmers and ranchers, especially those from regions who may not 
benefit from the estimated $130 billion in crop subsidies, rely on U.S. 
Department of Agriculture conservation assistance to provide much-
needed financial support as well as meet critical environmental 
challenges.
  Unfortunately, this bill would set a $1.01 billion limit on the 
environmental quality incentives program--compared to a FY2005 level of 
$1.2 billion set in the farm bill. Likewise, the farmland protection 
program is set at $112 million, $13 million less than the budget 
request. Lastly, the wetlands reserve program will enroll 175,000 
acres, which are 25,000 less than prescribed in the farm bill.
  I am pleased, however, that this bill rejects the Bush 
administration's proposed sharp cuts in natural resources conservation 
service programs. It will provide $993 million for the five NRCS 
conservation programs, $176 million more than the administration's 
request.
  Secondly, I appreciate that the Appropriations Committee acted on the 
request made by myself and other members of the Congressional 
Sportsmen's Caucus Chronic Wasting Disease taskforce in providing 
$18.589 million in aid to states' fight against CWD--a fatal 
neurological disease found amongst our Nation's populations of wild and 
captive cervids. I'm particularly pleased to note $1.75 million will go 
directly to Wisconsin, which has been especially hard hit by this 
devastating disease. These federal funds are crucial to help 
authorities continue to monitor this deadly disease in order to avoid 
future outbreaks.

                          ____________________