By Tracy Fugere
Fargo, ND – North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan says the recent farm bill passed by the House of Representatives isn't enough.
The bill--which includes a 170-billion dollar overhaul of federal farm programs--Dorgan says is better than the current freedom to farm bill but it is not enough to do what is necessary for family farmers in North Dakota and around the nation.
"We need to do better. We need to help farmers during tough times in a way that provides countercyclical support that gives them something they can rely on. And so the House of Representatives has taken the first step and I say good for them--they've done something that is better than freedom to farm but it is not what we should do and not enough for family farmers to be able to make a living during tough times."
Senator Kent Conrad says it's vitally important that a new farm bill is passed and that it's done this year.
"It's in the budget. Every dime of what's needed is there. And if we don't use the money this year, we are in all likelihood going to lose it next year. When I ask major farm group leaders in North Dakota what it would mean if we were to lose that money, one of them said it would be a race to the auctioneer. I fear that is the case and so we need to act and act this year."
The Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to start writing its version of the bill this month.