News : Baucus speaks against direct payment cuts : Sidney Herald, Sidney, Montana

Baucus speaks against direct payment cuts

Published on Friday, February 5, 2010 5:19 PM MST

U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., issued the following statement in response to the White House Budget, which would cut Direct Payments to farmers:

“In Montana, agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and it has been for generations. I cannot stand by as the president moves to cut direct payments to farmers and ranchers.

“We’re only two years into the 2008 Farm Bill, and Montana producers have made long term plans based on what they thought was a solid agreement with the government for the life of that bill. The fact is, many family farmers and ranchers in our state need these payments to help them weather these difficult economic times. Wheat prices have fallen steadily over the last year while input costs such as fuel and fertilizer have gone up. It’s not fair to place the weight of our economic troubles on the backs of the folks who put food on tables all across America.”

Baucus played a key role in writing and passing the 2008 Farm Bill. Baucus created a permanent disaster assistance package, created a stronger safety net for the wheat and barley industry, kept Montana’s Farm Service Agencies open and boosted funding for nutrition programs.

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