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President Bush's Broken Promises to Farmers

July 28, 2005

Washington, DC - With President Bush sitting down today for a photo op with members of the FFA, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean called on the President to reverse his policies that hurt family farmers across America:

"President Bush's budget cuts have been devastating to family ranchers and farmers across the country. The President can pose for pictures with as many agricultural groups as he wants, but America's farmers know that his policies have made it more difficult for family farmers to stay in business. When President Bush sits down with the next generation of farmers and agricultural professionals, he should join the Democratic effort to restore vital funding for those who work the earth for their livelihood each day."

Bush Proposal Slashes Agriculture Funding. The President's budget cuts agriculture funding by nearly 10 percent next year. [Democratic Rural Working Group, 3/15/05]

Bush Plan Devastating for Agricultural Research. The Bush Administration has proposed to phase out $200 million in funding for agriculture, forestry and animal health research programs over two years, and replace it with about $70 million in competitive grants. This would affect 75 land-grant colleges and universities across the country, resulting in an estimated 2,000 job losses and fewer agriculture research projects. [Democratic Rural Working Group, 3/15/05]

Bush Proposed Cutting Crop Insurance Program. The proposed budget also cuts $1.3 billion from the federal crop insurance program, which protects farmers against risks caused by natural disasters and price fluctuations. [Democratic Rural Working Group, 3/15/05]

Proposed Inspection Fees Would Cost Farmers Billions. The budget raises another $1.9 billion through increased user fees for inspections that will further reduce farm income. [Democratic Rural Working Group, 3/15/05]

Bush Budget Cuts Marketing Loans. The budget includes a net cut of $5.7 billion over 10 years from farm programs through restrictions on marketing loans, a 5 percent reduction in farm program payments, assessments on sugar, and modifications to the dairy program. [Democratic Rural Working Group, 3/15/05]

Proposals Would Cut Deficiency Payments. The President's budget proposes to limit loan deficiency payments by more than $1 billion, which could drop deficiency payments for as much as 48 percent of corn in Iowa, for example. [Democratic Rural Working Group, 3/15/05]