Bismarck, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven yesterday met with new U.S. Sec. of Agriculture Ed Schafer to strongly push the administration to find agreement on the Farm Bill now in negotiation between the U.S. House and Senate agriculture committees and the administration. The extension on the current bill expires on March 15.

Hoeven has been lobbying for more than a year on behalf of North Dakota farmers and ranchers to secure a farm bill, including meeting with members of both the House and Senate, as well as the administration. Over that period of time, Hoeven has met with former Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, current Secretary Schafer; Deputy Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner; White House Agriculture advisor Hunter Moorhead; and the President.

?The Farm Bill is vitally important to the producers of North Dakota,? Hoeven said. ?All parties need to work toward finding common ground on the bill?s provisions, including a good safety net for farmers and ranchers.?



Hoeven stressed the importance of a strong counter-cyclical safety net, as well as higher loan rates and target prices for northern crops, like wheat and oil seeds. He also emphasized inclusion of strong provisions for energy, conservation and the sugar industry. In addition, the Governor again encouraged the secretary and administration to support the disaster aid title included in the Senate version.



?From the beginning, we have stressed to the administration and Congress the need for either improvement to crop insurance or a disaster title, so that our farmers and ranchers can properly manage risk just like other kinds of businesses when weather-related disasters occur,? Hoeven said.

Hoeven reiterated his concern that a strong farm fill be passed now on behalf of our farmers and ranchers. Sec. Schafer said the administration wants to get a farm bill completed, but feels there has to be reform in the form of payment and income limits. He also said he will continue to work hard on the negotiations to get it done.

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