01/10/07 Disaster assistance and the new Congress

Farm and Ranch January 10, 2007 There is optimism that the U.S. Senate will approve disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers as part of the Ag Appropriations bill. But the question is whether a disaster aid package can make it through the U.S. House. The Senate successfully approved a disaster package in June of last year, but the House Republican leadership at that time, as well as the Bush Administration, opposed the aid. Now, with Democrats in control, House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson says there's a good opportunity for House passage of a disaster bill. In fact, he says it will likely be one of the first things considered after the "first 100 hours" priorities are completed. However, Peterson says the package may not be as large as those considered in the Senate. Peterson; "The Senate has tried a number a number of different amendments. They at one time were at five point some billion. Then they went up to seven billion. Then they were down to 4 ½ billion. We have taken a look at things and my leadership has instructed me to tighten this up as much as we possibly can. So we think we can get this down to about three billion dollars and take care of the people that were hurt the worst, which is what I think we need to do." What northwest grain producers have wanted in a disaster bill is a payment to help with increased fuel and fertilizer costs. Jerry Snyder, past president of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers sums up why. Snyder: "For heaven's sake, a 300% rise in fertilizer prices in four years is just outlandish." I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.