Orrin Hatch: “Nothing the Senate does ths session will be more important than passing a good farm bill that provides a strong safety…”

“Nothing the Senate does ths session will be more important than passing a good farm bill that provides a strong safety net and some certainty for our Nation's farmers. I believe that Chairman Harkin has put forward a sincere effort to accomplish these goals. However, I find that much to my regret, I must vote against this legislation. There are a number or provisions in the bill that lead me to this conclusion, but chief among them is that it puts at risk our system of water rights in the West. I refuse to compromise Utah's water rights. Under this bill, farmers would be required to sell or lease their water rights to the Federal Government if they choose to participate in a specific conservation program. This sets a terrible precedent. I strongly oppose using Federal dollars to encourage farmers to give up their water rights. The Federal Government has enormous financial resources with which it could purchase unlimited acre-feet of precious water in the West. I cannot support a large incentive aimed at stripping our farmers of the resource that makes our way of life possible in the West. The water conservation program I am referring to would also create an unprecedented link between the Endangered Species Act and farm programs. I have no doubt that this will lead to conflicts between the goals of the act and the livelihood of our farmers. From what I have seen, when such a conflict arises the farmer always loses. Our farm families struggle enough.…”