[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 43 (Monday, November 1, 1999)]
[Page 2194]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Emergency Agricultural Assistance

October 29, 1999

    I am pleased today to designate $8.8 billion in emergency assistance 
for our Nation's farmers and ranchers, to help them recover from the 
second year in a row of low commodity prices and, for many, crop 
livestock losses from severe drought and flooding.
    While this assistance will not adequately address all of the needs 
in our farm-based communities, I have taken this step in order to hasten 
payments to farmers and ranchers who simply cannot wait for the 
legislative improvements we have sought. I continue to be concerned that 
the income assistance in the Act is not targeted to producers most in 
need.
    As with last year's disaster assistance, these funds provide only a 
one-year, temporary fix for the overall problems with the farm safety 
net. That is why I call on the Congress to enact a permanent fix to the 
shortcomings in the 1996 farm bill. A major step toward that goal can be 
achieved this year through crop insurance reform legislation if the 
Congress will act.
    I want to thank Secretary of Agriculture Glickman for his work on 
behalf of American agriculture. I know he and his staff are hard at work 
right now setting the process in place so that most of the payments will 
be available within just a few weeks.