WASHINGTON, DC – At a hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture on the 2008 Farm Bill with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, Senator Roberts again urged the Secretary and members of the committee to promote the interests of all farmers and ranchers and was critical of new burdensome regulations, cuts to crop insurance and a meager trade agenda. Roberts was also critical of the media’s portrayal of production agriculture.

Senator Roberts made the following remarks at the hearing:

“So here we are, two years and 12 days after the bill became public law. Already folks want to move on to drafting the next bill. The Secretary’s testimony points out that the Commodity Title and disaster programs are yet to be fully implemented. Well, perhaps it’s appropriate to find out what farmers and ranchers think of the current bill before we start suggesting drastic changes and program cuts.

“I’m here today to relay the concerns and experiences of producers in Kansas.

“Secretary Vilsack I’m pleased you’ve joined us today. The position of Secretary of Agriculture comes with much responsibility and duty – one of which is being the number one advocate for our farmers and ranchers. All farmers and ranchers are in need of a champion, someone to help tell their story to those who neither understand nor appreciate the miracle of modern agriculture.

“Today’s producers face challenges from many different directions...including their government.

“You’ve spent much of your term touring rural areas and have seen first hand the struggles of farm country. Of all the rural investment tools in our tool belt, perhaps the most effective is our commodity and crop insurance portfolio. The dollars producers receive through these programs get passed through to lenders, grocery stores, mechanics, implement dealers, churches and many more.

“I know you want to help these areas and we want to be partners in that effort, but our producers hear a different message from your colleagues in other agencies. The ever tightening ratchet of federal regulation threatens to put many out of business.

“Whether it is calls for overly burdensome and unreasonable carbon and dust standards or proposals to regulate every pot hole and playa as if it were the Missouri River - producers are being squeezed. They feel attacked by some federal officials and especially the press even though they comply with current regulations - never mind the fact that they produce the safest, most abundant and affordable food supply in the world.

“The American farmer and rancher supplies food and fiber not just for our benefit but for that of many nations in need. When Haiti suffered from a devastating earthquake, the American producer offered assistance through food aid.

“Yet producers are criticized for programs that help provide this very assistance. The fact of the matter is U.S. producers aren’t competing against themselves, they are competing against producers from Brazil, Europe, Australia and other parts of the world whose governments place their thumb on the scale of fair competition. Our Farm Bill takes modest steps to level the scale of international competition and producers hear little from the administration in defense of these programs.

“Mr. Secretary, as agriculture’s advocate in chief, how are you working to defend and protect our farmers and ranchers? I hear some folks say that our farm programs are difficult to defend but that doesn’t mean we should give up on doing so. Are you willing to work with us to be a champion of agriculture production? To stand up to these attacks and educate not only the public but other federal agencies of the impact of proposed regulations and value of all of Agriculture be it traditional or organic, row crops or specialty crops?”

In later rounds of questioning, Senator Roberts went on to ask the Secretary:

“Wheat growers in my state are roughly 60 percent finished with harvest this year. Some have had a good year, others a poor year, but no matter who you talk to they all are concerned about a widening basis.

“The difference between futures prices and those at county elevators is dramatically higher this year. Global wheat production is up, storage capacity is full and transportation costs are high. Perhaps the best way to help these folks is to find new buyers. Unfortunately this administration’s trade agenda is a day late and a dollar short for our wheat growers.

“A prime example is the Colombian trade agreement, there is a real market opportunity for our producers.

“If the administration is either unwilling to help expand our markets through these already negotiated agreement or fails to see the benefit to our producers in these trade agreements, then what else can you do to address this concern over basis?”

Senator Roberts is a senior member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

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