[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15661]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TAX RELIEF FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today in support of S. 2762, a bill 
which would provide tax relief to livestock producers who are forced to 
sell off part of their herds due to drought. I would also like to 
commend my colleague, Senator Thomas, for introducing this legislation.
  In my home State of Montana, we are currently in our fifth year of 
drought. Livestock producers are running out of grass for their herds 
and very few ranchers in Montana have carry over hay. Their choices are 
limited. If ranchers can find hay, it is expensive and often hundreds 
of miles away. Their only other option is to sell off part or, in 
extreme situations, their entire herds.
  The effect on Montana's economy can be seen in the numbers. In 2000, 
we had 2.6 million head of cattle in my State. As of today, after two 
severe years of drought, we have 2.4 million head of cattle. The 
drought is equally devastating on sheep numbers. In 2000, we had 
370,000 head of sheep. Today we have 335,000 head of sheep in Montana.
  When these cattle and sheep leave the State, the effect on the local, 
rural economies is great. Ranchers aren't buying as much feed, they are 
buying fewer veterinary supplies, and worse yet, the ranchers may go 
out of business all together. These are ranches and herds that have 
been built up over generations and will be extremely difficult to 
replace. I have heard from many ranchers these animals won't come back 
to Montana. They are gone forever.
  I have been working on getting disaster relief for producers 
suffering from drought since early last fall. I am currently a co-
sponsor of a bill with Senator Baucus that would provide emergency 
funds to farmers and ranchers suffering crop and livestock loss. I 
believe Senator Thomas' bill fits in perfectly with my earlier efforts 
to help our producers. It is a common sense approach to a real problem.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this 
legislation.

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