NCBA President Joins Congress in Calling for Drought Relief Legislation

Photo #1 - Wythe Wiley at Event
Photo #2 - Wythe Wiley with Senator Conrad Burns
Photo #3-  Wythe Wiley at Senate Russell Park

Washington, D.C. (September 9, 2002) – Iowa producer and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Wythe Willey, flanked by numerous U.S. Senators and heads of national agriculture organizations, spoke out on Capitol Hill this afternoon, urging for passage of emergency natural disaster assistance.

“This drought has been going on for four years, and has created a financial hardship for livestock producers,” said Willey.  “The Farm Bill doesn’t address natural disasters and contains very little government assistance for livestock producers,” explained Willey.  “Congress has tried to be fair with the Farm Bill, but nature isn’t always fair.”

"It's been a long time coming," said Senator Conrad Burns (MT). "Our producers have been facing this dire situation for years now, and they need this support from Congress. We provide disaster assistance for tornados and floods, and this natural disaster is no different."

Willey applauded Senator Burns and Montana Senator Max Baucus for their commitment to America’s ranchers.  Earlier this summer, Baucus and Burns introduced their agriculture natural disaster bill, which will provide assistance for 2001 and 2002 losses resulting from the multi-year drought. NCBA has strongly supported the legislation, which will provide assistance nationwide to ranchers tormented by historically-severe drought conditions. 

“This amendment is a no-brainer, this is a disaster situation, comparable to the dustbowl era,” said Baucus.  “We need to work double hard, double time to get this passed, so the backbone of America - the farmers and ranchers - can do what they do best, and that is providing the food and fibers for our country.”

Baucus and Burns are working w/ majority leader Tom Daschle (SD) to attach their bill to the fiscal year 2003 Interior Appropriations bill that is being debated on the Senate floor.  A vote is expected to come as early as tomorrow.

On a related note, the USDA authorized use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres nationally for emergency haying and grazing.  Previously, emergency haying and grazing was limited to 18 states.  NCBA members and state affiliates have contacted the USDA urging this authorization, and NCBA commended this move as a step towards providing relief for America’s ranchers during the extended drought.