Here is an update on the issue of early cancellation of CRP lands.
Jane Clark
Acting Secretary Conner Decides Against Jeopardizing Highly Erodible Land
WASHINGTON (RuralWire), Oct. 1, 2007 - Keith Bolin, President of the
American Corn Growers Association (ACGA), commended the recent decision of
Acting U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner to not offer penalty-free
early releases from Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts at this
time.
"It was the prudent decision by Secretary Conner for USDA to stay the course
on the CRP," said Bolin. "We are pleased with his decision and commend him
for his leadership and understanding on this critical issue."
Last week, ACGA urged USDA to "Stay the course on CRP" and suggested an
administrative action to allow farmers to exit the program early was
short-sighted and ill-advised. "The Department of Agriculture heeded our
call and made the best decision," said Bolin. "We had dire concerns that the
continuation of the CRP program was at risk due to budgetary pressures as
well as those in the agribusiness sector who want more corn planted next
year in order to suppress corn prices. We are pleased that our concerns were
heard and Secretary Conner sided with our views."
"Current USDA projections for next year's corn crop and carryover shows
there will be more than sufficient production to cover all needs," concluded
Bolin. "Jeopardizing highly erodible land by taking it out of the reserve
just so that the integrated livestock factory farms can go back to buying
cheap corn as they have for the past decade is unacceptable. ACGA opposes
any actions that threaten the integrity of the CRP and we once again applaud
the decision of Department of Agriculture.
The CRP was established in 1985 as a voluntary program that allows farmers
to retire highly erodible land from production and also ensure a secure
income during times of low commodity pricing. As the program grew, farmers
were able to retire land to reduce degradation of environmentally sensitive
areas. Some of these environmental considerations include wetland acreage,
runoff into waterways, and wildlife habitat.
ACGA represents 14,000 members in 35 states. For more information, or if you
would like to join ACGA or help support our efforts, please see www.acga.org
----- Original Message -----
From: Neila Seaman
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 7:46 AM
Subject: USDA announcement on CRP lands
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 26 September 2007
Contact: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384
Ginny Cramer, 202.675.6279
USDA Announcement on Conservation Reserve Lands
Unnecessarily Threatens Fragile Lands, Habitat at Time of Record Production
Report on Sustainable Biofuels Production to be Released Next Week
Today, Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner announced that the USDA
is considering allowing farmers to cancel the contracts enrolling their
lands in the Conservation Reserve Program up to several years early without
penalty. The program, pays farmers to let 34 million acres--much of which
is marginal, easily eroded, and prime habitat for wildlife--remain idle.
It is one of the most important land conservations programs in use
today--providing habitat on par with that provided by our important system
of wildlife refuges.
Statement of Ed Hopkins, Director, Sierra Club Environmental Quality
Program
"It is extremely unfortunate that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is
considering allowing farmers to break their contracts and take their lands
out of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) years ahead of schedule. The
USDA is considering this despite previously saying it would not to do so
and with its own experts already predicting an all-time record corn crop of
13.3 billion bushels The present level of corn production has already
increased 27 percent over last year and is putting severe strain on the
CRP. We believe these marginal and often fragile lands should remain in
the CRP instead of being put to use to grow even more corn or other row
crops--increasing erosion, the runoff of fertilizers and pollutants into
our streams and rivers, and other detrimental environmental effects.
"CRP lands are prime habitat for the kind of wild game and game birds that
provide countless Americans unmatched opportunities for recreation and
hunting. It would be unfortunate to lose even more of this critical
habitat at a time of already-booming production and mounting questions
about the sustainability of present agricultural practices."
In response to concerns about the environmental and economic impacts of the
corn boom and corn ethanol production, the Sierra Club, in conjunction with
the Worldwatch Institute, will be releasing a report on Tuesday, October 2
entitled "Destination Iowa: Getting to a Sustainable Biofuels Future." The
report will discuss the present impact of corn and corn-based ethanol
production on Iowa and how the second generation of biofuels and increased
renewable energy production offer the prospects of sustained--and
sustainable--economic growth and prosperity for rural communities across
the Heartland.
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