01/31/07 Big Changes?

Are big changes in store? I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. It has been like waiting for Christmas morning to open all those packages as U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns will unveil the Bush Administration's 2007 Farm Bill proposal this morning. On Monday - Johanns spoke with Australia's Trade Minister about bilateral and trade issues - but was not sharing details of the USDA proposal. Johanns was - however - willing to offer this. JOHANNS: We think it's flat just good farm policy. It's just the right approach. I'm excited after months and months of work and listening to finally have proposals out there and that will happen in the next couple of days here. But we just think it's good farm policy and that's how we approached it and we're anxious to get it out there. Johanns refused to use the phrase significant reforms - but Australian Trade Minister Warren Truss explained the need for change. TRUSS: We've had some very constructive talks about the need to make significant reforms in relation to U.S. agriculture policy and that's important not just because we think it will be good for U.S. agriculture but to encourage the Europeans to make worthwhile concessions in relation to market access issues and also to encourage the developing world, particularly the large economies like Brazil and India and Korea and China to also make the kind of concessions necessary to get the Doha Round working again. While many U.S. farm groups and lawmakers argue the U.S. has offered a lot - and maybe even too much - already - getting little in return - Johanns has been talking about the need for change for months - talking down farm subsidies and noting WTO challenges to U.S. subsidies. But despite strong prodding - Johanns refused to show his cards. JOHANNS: I won't use, certainly not today, I won't use words like major - that kind of thing. REPORTER: Is it going to be more of the same or different? JOHANNS: Well, Wednesday I'll tell you. REPORTER: Is it going to be revenue insurance&JOHANNS: Now I know you'd love me to answer those questions but not today. Heavy speculation over many months - amid a tightening U.S. budget - points in the direction of big changes - perhaps with greater reliance on crop revenue insurance and conservation and energy programs. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.