Farm Bill is working, U.S. Rice Industry tells Congress

Washington, D.C., May 20, 2004 — The USA Rice Federation and U S Rice Producers Association presented joint testimony today before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. USA Rice Federation member Bryan Moery presented the testimony and was joined by Dan Gertson of U S Rice Producers Association.

In the testimony, Moery, a rice farmer from Wynne, Ark., informed the committee that: “The farm bill is working as it should by providing an important financial safety net during periods of low prices…when prices improve, as they have in 2004, the farm bill supports are reduced automatically.

“As a result, the 2002 farm bill has given producers hope that a strong agriculture economy may emerge that will allow producers to make long-term plans and investments with the certainty that is needed to compete in an increasingly global economy.”

Moery also noted: “In addition to being necessary and effective, the 2002 farm bill has proven to be budget conscious.” According to figures recently released by the Congressional Budget Office, outlays under the 2002 farm bill are forecast to be more than $17 billion below the initial CBO estimate.

Moery concluded: “The 2002 Farm Bill is a vital safety net to rice farmers and our industry appreciates the commitment Congress has made to ensure a sustained domestic food supply. We also urge Congress to avoid future cuts to the support levels embodied in the legislation.”

The rice industry further urged Congress to oppose any additional restrictions on payment limitations as well as to stand firm for U.S. rice needs in the next round of WTO negotiations.

A copy of the testimony can be found at: www.usarice.com/industry/gov/correspond