Paul Coverdell: “we are finally drawing to a close on what has been an exhausting, often contentious, but extremely rewarding 18-month…”

“we are finally drawing to a close on what has been an exhausting, often contentious, but extremely rewarding 18-month process of deciding the future of American agriculture. Our efforts culminate today in final passage of the 1996 farm bill, appropriately titled the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act. Mr. President, the title of this legislation is appropriate, because I truly believe we have improved our agricultural programs, while making the reforms necessary for American farmers to compete in an increasingly global market. The most important aspect of this bill is that we have accomplished reform without jeopardizing our fragile rural economies in the process. As an active member of the Agriculture Committee, I can attest that we have been very careful to allow for economic adjustment in these communities, and have allowed our farmers the opportunity to participate in the decisionmaking process. This is Democracy at its finest. The new farm bill is benevolent in its flexibility and in maintaining establishing a traditional safety net for producers. No longer will farmers in my home State of Georgia be required to simply plant for the program. These farmers can now evaluate the market conditions and plant the crops that will allow them to reap the greatest profit. This liberation of our hardworking farmers will, I believe, also lead to greater export potential as production levels for the higher-demand products will rise.”