R 153

2003 -- S 1020

Enacted 04/23/03

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

MEMORIALIZING CONGRESS TO INSURE REGIONAL EQUITY PROMISED IN THE 2002 FARM BILL

Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Breene, and Blais

Date Introduced: April 23, 2003

     WHEREAS, Agriculture production is a unique and diversified industry in the

northeastern United States; and

     WHEREAS, The agriculture industry continues to be one of the top employers in each of

the states in the Northeast region; and

     WHEREAS, Differences in climate, transportation, feed, energy costs and land values

compound those regional differences; and

     WHEREAS, The current crisis in dairy prices is placing a tremendous burden on the

entire structure and infrastructure of agriculture in the Northeast; and

     WHEREAS, The Northeast region of the United States contains more than 135,000 small

to mid-size family agricultural operations on more than 20 million acres of land; and

     WHEREAS, In the Northeast region more than 58 million consumers, many living in

urban areas, are concerned about food security in these times of national unrest and terrorism; and

     WHEREAS, We believe that it is in the best interest of national security to assure that

regional agriculture continues to be viable and available to provide a safe, secure food supply to

those consumers; and

     WHEREAS, The 2002 Farm Bill provided a very positive first step in providing regional

equity in federal support to Northeast agriculture; and

     WHEREAS, The proposed EQIP rules contain provisions that will pose a severe

impediment to Northeast farmers who wish to access those programs, so well thought out in the

law; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby memorializes Congress to insure regional equity promised in the 2002 Farm Bill, and

hereby respectfully request consideration of the following issues as the rules are promulgated:

     Assure that “Locally Led Conservation” not take a back seat to “National

Priorities and Measures” by continuing the commitment to farmer driven

decision-making which will create local efficiencies and opportunities to partner

with other entities to optimize the funds available;

     Recognize that cost-share rates less than 75% will not make agricultural

production and environmental quality compatible goals as stated in the statute

particularly given the fiscal crisis in the Northeast dairy industry;

     Ensure that the program will support the development of irrigation systems for

new and existing irrigators;

     Acknowledge the USDA encouraged practice of three year rotations, which have

been adopted by many Northeast producers, will under the proposed rule severely

limit the number of producers who are eligible for irrigation cost-share funds;

     Recognize that historically the Northeast is underserved by Farm Bill programs

due to the inability of Northeast producers to receive commodity payments;

     Recognize that EQIP is one of the few Farm Bill programs that can be utilized by

producers in the Northeast;

     Recognize congressional intent by making sure that the timing of drafting of

EQIP rules doesn’t eliminate states from the regional equity clause in the

proposed rule for 2003, and that the $12 million allocated to each state will be

available for at least one year until the rules are established and ample time is

given to notify the agricultural community and distribute said funds; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the members of the Rhode Island Delegation in

the Congress of the United States and the Northeast States Association for Agricultural

Stewardship of the Council of State Governments.

=======

LC03084

=======