Several major ag organizations and lawmakers representing farm states reacted negatively to the president’s budget proposals. American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says agriculture has done more than its fair share to help reduce the deficit over the years. “The Administration’s budget proposal fails to recognize agriculture’s current financial challenges or its historical contribution to deficit reduction,” Duvall says. The National Farmers Union called the president’s budget proposal an assault on the farm safety net and rural communities. “It’s deeply disappointing that the president would propose such cuts, especially in the midst of a farm crisis that has families who’ve lost 50 percent of their farm income over the past few years,” said NFU President Roger Johnson.
U.S. Wheat Associates is disappointed that the budget proposal eliminates funding for the USDA’s Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program. “Without funding for these vital programs,” says USW President Alan Tracy, “we would not be able to continue the training necessary to promote our product and our competitors would swoop in and overtake American producers in foreign markets.” He adds that the effect on wheat prices would be obvious.
Source: NAFB News Service