01/10/07 Ag Director talks farm bill at ag show

Washington Ag January 10, 2007 Farm Bill 2007 was addressed by Washington State Agriculture Director Valoria Loveland at the Pasco Ag Show Tuesday. The Director is president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, which has put forth its own farm bill recommendations, which Loveland says fit well for Washington. Loveland: "We have an increased request with the United States Department of Agriculture to make sure they keep our foreign offices open, that they help us with trade barriers and assure us that the trade agreements we have are fair not just free. That helps us substantially from Washington state with our huge exports of apples, potatoes and a number of other crops." Loveland says NASDA wants the safety net continued for grain producers and also asks for the establishment of a "green credit" program which she says is something competitors like the European Union has. Loveland: "We want the United States Department of Agriculture to establish that program for us. It will help in the long term trade negotiations with our foreign trade partners." The Pasco Ag Show at the TRAC continues today. I'm Bob Hoff.