02/09/07 McMorris Rodgers` goals for ag

Washington Ag February 9, 2007 Speaking by video feed to the Pacific Northwest Farm Forum in Spokane this week, 5th District Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers said her heart breaks every time she hears about another farmer having to sell out, or not getting an operating loan or discouraging his kids from following in his footsteps. She said it is becoming too common a story. McMorris Rodgers laid out five goals for the future of agriculture in eastern Washington. McMorris Rodgers: "One, creating a strong farm policy that enables farmers to access new markets while investing in cutting edge research. Two, expanding domestic energy supplies and exploring alternative energy sources. Three, keeping land productive and farmers competitive. Four, protecting and enhancing water supplies and storage. And five, ensuring the viability of rural communities." On some specifics McMorris Rodgers said she would reintroduce her Wheat Counter Cyclical Payments Enhancement Act, called upon Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration bill to address agriculture's labor needs, supports federal funding for studying solutions for the declining Odessa Aquifer and continues to call for Endangered Species Act and NEPA reform. I'm Bob Hoff.