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CRAMER HOSTS 2012 FARM BILL ROUNDTABLE WITH COMMODITY GROUPS AND PRODUCERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 11, 2012

Contact: Kate Bommarito, Communications Director, (701) 333-8607

CRAMER HOSTS 2012 FARM BILL ROUNDTABLE WITH COMMODITY GROUPS AND PRODUCERS

FARGO, ND - North Dakota Public Service Commissioner and U.S. House Candidate Kevin Cramer hosted a Farm Bill Roundtable with North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring today in Fargo as the U.S. House Agriculture Committee began its markup of the Federal Agricultural Reform and Risk Management Act (FARRM).

Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer was also a part of the forum, held at Cass County Electric Cooperative Building.

“After visiting with commodity groups and producers, it is clear the passage of the United States Senate’s farm bill is a step in the right direction, creating security for our nation’s food supply and producers while achieving cost savings,” said Cramer. “While there is still work ahead in the U.S. House, the statesmanship of leaders from both parties in the Senate demonstrated what can be done in Washington when people work together.”

“In addition to securing America's food supply protecting our farmers with appropriate risk management tools, we also need to reduce our national debt, and both House and Senate bills represent significant deficit reductions.

“I am encouraging Republican leaders to do all they can to move the bill toward passage and reconciliation with the Senate by the September 30 expiration of the current bill,” Cramer added.

Cramer praised the strengthening of the crop insurance program in place of direct payments in both Senate and House bills as a market based approach that protects family farmers and provides real budget cuts and deficit reduction, as well as the decoupling of conservation compliance with crop insurance contained in the draft version of FARRM.

“One important improvement the newly released House bill contains is the decoupling of conservation compliance to eligibility for federal crop insurance. This amendment removes mountains of paperwork and an unnecessary burden to an already complex industry-government relationship.”

“The House’s inclusion of HR 872 - the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act - is also significant for our state’s farmers and ranchers, lessening the EPA’s overreaching interference with efficient, responsible producers.”

“I look forward to working with North Dakota farmers toward a good farm bill and continuing improvements in agriculture policies.”

In attendance were representatives from Red River Valley Sugar Beet Growers, Independent Beef Association of North Dakota, American Crystal Sugar, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, North Dakota Grain Dealers Association, Northern Canola Growers Association, North Dakota Barley Council, Town & Country Credit Union, North Dakota Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Farm Bureau and independent agricultural commodity producers.

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