Remember, the history of deregulation is supposed to bring more competition, but what it has really done is bring consolidation.

I happen to think the Federal Trade Commission, as Senator Hollings suggested, is one of the most important places in government from the standpoint of the consumer.

The trade title of the Farm bill is clearly one of the most important components, in my opinion, at least.

I think it is less popular and has the risk of becoming unpopular as times goes by.

I really do look forward to close examination of the existing agricultural trade programs and the policies as we consider the new Farm bill.

One study last year argued that a 16 percent appreciation in the value of the United States dollar was responsible for a 17 to 25 percentage point decline in corn and wheat prices.

I think it is time that we start to think out of the box.

I might add that that was part of the design of the FAIR Act--I had a little bit to do with that.

It seems to me that that is important.

I think we need to take a very serious look at what the food aid needs are.

We have seen the United States share of export markets continue to fall.

I have indicated my strong belief in that regard as to the result of the hearings to our current Secretary and the staff down there.

Do you have any suggestions in regard to how our food aid programs could be improved?

I want to encourage you to keep up the fight, and you will have my strongest help.

I think we need to upgrade this debate in a more general way if we possibly can.

I went down to Latin America with the leader of the Senate, Trent Lott, and we visited Guatemala, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Panama.

If we exported the bulk commodities, those countries could go to more specialty crop areas.

I do not think that we need fast track to negotiate trade agreements.