[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 23, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM HOLDEN

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2006

  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Chairman, I am greatly concerned about cuts that have 
been made to Farm Bill programs through this agriculture appropriations 
bill. I believe that using mandatory Farm Bill money to pay for an 
annual spending bill is unacceptable, and it's simply not fair to our 
farmers.
  Appropriators and authorizers have long fought over mandatory and 
discretionary dollars; however, since 2004, we've seen a large increase 
in the amount of mandatory money used to pay for programs in the 
appropriations bill. We all worked very hard during the last Farm Bill. 
We agreed and put together a safety net for all farmers, and dedicated 
money to conservation, rural development, and other programs, but have 
since witnessed a significant portion of our annual funding be 
redirected.
  With falling farm income because of higher energy and production 
costs, along with lower farm gate prices, now is the worst time to cut 
this funding for our agricultural producers. I'm worried about dropping 
the bottom out from underneath our agricultural producers and rural 
citizens through cuts to conservation and rural development programs, 
which have already taken disproportionate reductions in funding.
  Conservation programs assist our farmers and ranchers in 
strengthening their environmental stewardship, which is so important 
for looking after land and water that we will pass on to our future 
generations. By investing in enhanced environmental protection of land 
and water, the public benefits from an overall improved quality of 
life; affordable food, cleaner, safer, and more dependable water 
supplies; reduced damages caused by floods and other natural disasters; 
abundant wildlife; scenic landscapes and an enhanced natural resource 
base. Cutting important conservation programs while we're facing a huge 
backlog of producers waiting to participate in these programs will 
hinder these efforts.
  I am especially concerned about cuts to the Farm and Ranch Lands 
Protection program. Since 1996, the program, in partnership with state 
and local governments and nongovernmental organizations, has kept over 
440,000 acres of productive farmland in agricultural uses. FRPP is an 
excellent way of preserving farmland for many years to come, and helps 
provide a means for maintaining a viable rural economy.
  Additionally, rural development programs are vital to ensuring that 
our traditionally-agriculturally based communities do not simply vanish 
because of farm and job loss. I am concerned about cuts to an important 
rural development program that assists farmers in adding value to their 
products. Rural development initiatives help to advance our rural 
communities, develop new markets, and provide economic growth.
  Mr. Chairman, I respect the appropriators in the difficult task they 
have been given in this tight budget climate, but I ask that they 
respect the funding amounts put forth in the Farm Bill, and not make 
cuts to mandatory programs.

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