Charles W. Stenholm: “this amendment authorizes both the Farm Service Agency, FSA, and designated marketing associations of peanut producers…”

“this amendment authorizes both the Farm Service Agency, FSA, and designated marketing associations of peanut producers that are approved by the Secretary to make marketing assistance loans and loan deficiency payments. The amendment deletes a provision that would allow the Secretary to approve other loan servicing agents. In addition, it would make a conforming amendment to delete the provisions that would require loan servicing agents to provide storage to other loan servicing agents and marketing associations. The purpose of this amendment is clearly stated here. We are making some drastic changes in the manner in which our peanut program works for purposes of making our peanuts more competitive in the marketplace. We believe that this amendment is necessary in order that our producers are given the best option of increasing their pricing capabilities under a more market-oriented program which is what we are doing with the peanut section of this bill this year.”