Maria Cantwell: “the article goes on to state that the drought could mean staggering losses of more than $270 million in reduced income…”

“the article goes on to state that the drought could mean staggering losses of more than $270 million in reduced income from farmers, lost jobs, and less money circulating through our local economy. The most critical stories are emerging from my State, including those of the apple industry. An agricultural assistance bill such as the one we passed that does not support apple growers fails to understand a very important part of our agricultural sector. You heard from many of my colleagues from New York, Michigan, and Maine about the fact that we need to do something to help America's apple growers who are experiencing the worst economic losses in more than 70 years. Currently prices are as low as 40 percent below the cost of production. Between 1995 and 1998, apple growers lost approximately $760 million due to questionable import practices involving such countries as China and Korea, in addition to the stiff export tariffs. Growers like to be self-sufficient and would not ask for help if it did not mean their survival. Many growers in financial crisis are being pushed off their farms. One study has estimated that the numbers of those leaving their farms could be as high as 30 percent. We need to stop this exodus from the family farms by providing farmers this year with the support and money they desperately need. The Harkin bill would have done that.”