09/03/08 Railroad Anti-trust Enforcement Act

Idaho farmers often have to depend on trains to get their products to markets in a timely manner. The Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act would put an end to some old rules that US farmers say are hurting them. As the American Farm Bureau's Pat Wolff notes farmers usually only have one railroad freight line serving their area. WOLFF "There are rules in this country that protect people from monopolies but in the current situation railroads are exempt from some of the anti-trust provisions therefore making it harder for farmers and ranchers to take action when they're being hurt." Wolff says railroads should have to compete with other modes of transportation. WOLFF "This issue is high on the minds of farmers. Immediate action is needed and Congress needs to address the issue." But there's always truck transportation. WOLFF "Truck transportation is more and more expensive. Farmers should be able to shift to the least cost alternative but because of the rules that railroads operate under they have farmers over the barrel." And that, says Wolff is the lack of competition. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott