releaseno.0453.05.docVIP

Release No. 0453.05 ARKANSAS FARM BILL FORUM With Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner and Moderators Stewart Doan of the Yancey Ag Network and Gary DiGiuseppe Arkansas Radio Network Arkansas State Fair Little Rock Arkansas - October 14, 2005 MR. GARY UNDERWOOD: [Singing of the National Anthem.] ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD: Color Guard. SENATOR MARK PRYOR: [In progress] -- Democratic colleagues did and I met with him a number of times and we appreciate him and that wasn’t always easy. And of course supported Chuck in his nomination. Supported CAFTA, that wasn’t an easy vote. Many Democrats didnt support CAFTA. And I tell you; I support the President on the war on terror. So I do not mind at all supporting President Bush and his administration when I think they’re right. But, also must be candid that when I don’t think they’re right, I’m not shy about saying that. And quite frankly I believe, and I think that I have a lot of people around the state who would join me in this, I believe that in some ways the administration is dead wrong on agriculture. [Applause.] SENATOR PRYOR: I know that there have been stories in the paper and I know in the trade publications, the various farm publications and Ag pages and the various newspapers that have talked about how some people in the administration want to see big changes to our farm programs in the next Farm Bill. And in fact I heard just not long ago that the administration says they supported the Farm Bill in 2002, but they want to see a very radical change this time and the reason they do is because farm conditions have improved since 2002. And I would just like to see a show of hands of all the people here who think farm conditions have improved in Arkansas since 2002. If you think it has, raise your hand. That’s what I’m hearing all over the state of Arkansas. One thing I hear loud and clear unambiguously, unambiguously around the state is that they want to continue the 2002 Farm Bill. [