02/06/07 `08 Ag Budget

'08 AG Budget. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns has released the details of the President's agriculture budget for fiscal year 2008. According to Johanns - U.S. agriculture and the rural economy has already prospered under the President's economic policy. JOHANNS: Renewable energy production has grown dramatically, which is contributing to the energy security of the United States and, I might also mention, improving the farm economy. We`re continuing to work on and regain our beef export market. We`ve reopened or maintained the markets in 25 countries that closed or threatened to close their borders to U.S. beef products after the first detection of BSE. We`ve made progress in countries like Vietnam and Thailand and Mexico. We are making considerable progress in ensuring the safety of meat and poultry and egg products. We`ve had tremendous response to My Pyramid -- what an incredible success story. I`m confident that the health of Americans will increase awareness, and as awareness increases, the importance of balancing a nutritious diet with physical activity will also be there. Johanns says the '08 budget will build on the successes of the past - as it continues to meet USDA's most important priorities. He says the President's agriculture budget exercises fiscal discipline while at the same time providing the resources needed to promote economic opportunities and to preserve the administration's commitment to farmers, ranchers, rural citizens and families in need. JOHANNS: The budget continues programs vital to the protection of ag, from disease and pests and human threats. It significantly increases investment in bioenergy, it fully supports food assistance programs, provides record funding to enroll a record number of acres into our conservation programs. It supports policies that led to decreases in the level of food-borne illnesses. But as with any budget, tough choices have to be made as well to keep spending under control and to achieve the president`s goals of a balanced budget. This means doing more with less, and then eliminating programs that quite simply are just not getting the job done. According to Johanns - the budget reflects the President's priorities - encouraging economic growth and increasing the nation's security. He says the budget aims to enhance the country's vibrant ag economy - advance renewable energy - protect the nation's food supply - improve nutrition and health - and conserve America's natural resources. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.