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April 6, 2001

Wool/mohair assistance rules announced

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the signup for the Wool and Mohair Loss Assistance programs, along with details on how to receive grazing payments in lieu of loan deficiency payments for the 2001 crop year.

USDA also will pay eligible wool and mohair producers who suffered economic loss due to low prices about $20 million for the 2000 marketing year. The payment rate will not exceed 40 cents per pound.

Producers who want to participate in the wool and mohair program must file an application for payment by April 13, 2001.

Eligible wool or mohair must have been shorn in the United States, and livestock must have been owned for 30 days or more prior to shearing. The wool or mohair must have been produced during the 2000 marketing year.

Also, USDA can now begin payments to eligible producers who elect to use acreage planted to wheat, barley, or oats to graze livestock and give up any other harvesting.

The payment will be determined using the loan deficiency payment rate in effect as of the date of the agreement.

Zoellick: 'Let's talk trade'

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick recently told the House Ways and Means Committee the administration is ready to take on a broad and aggressive trade agenda, but reminded the panel that the president needs fast-track negotiating authority.

"The message I want to send to other countries is that the United States is willing to negotiate," Zoellick told the committee, as he anticipates upcoming World Trade Organization talks. "We are willing to open if they open, but if others are too slow, we will move without them."

Zoellick said President Bush needs fast-track authority soon, despite Senate leadership indication that the issue will not be addressed until later this year. Zoellick said Bush "needs to hold out the prospect in Quebec City (during April talks on the Free Trade Area of the Americas) that new trade promotion authority is on its way."

Also on the subject of international trade, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, speaking in Pulaski, Wisc., reiterated the administration's commitment to expanding markets.

"This administration wants to pursue additional trade agreements, bilateral trade agreements, regional trade agreements...as well as additional negotiations under the World Trade Organization," she said.

'Death Tax' elimination bill
draws wide support

The Dunn-Tanner Death Tax Elimination Act of 2001 was introduced recently with 221 cosponsors, a majority of representatives. The bill number is H.R. 8. The cosponsor list can be accessed at www.loc.gov. (Enter bill number, click on search, click on bill summary and status, click on cosponsors. Rep. Clayton (D-NC) is a new cosponsor.)

Farm Bureau supports H.R. 8.

The bill phases out death taxes over 10 years by reducing death tax rates by 5 percent a year. (Current death tax rates range from 37 to 55 percent.) The bill also immediately doubles the estate tax exemption from $675,000 to $1.3 million per person.

The House is voting on the President's tax proposals one issue at a time. It recently passed income tax rate reductions.

Ways and Means Chairman Thomas (R-CA) announced that the House plans to vote on two more tax bills before the spring recess begins on April 9. No announcement was made about which tax cut bill will be next.

Farm Bureau continues to push for complete repeal of death taxes.

FMD continues to spread

After confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease in France, the Agriculture Department has announced increased measures to protect the United States from introduction of the disease.

In a news release, USDA outlined actions to temporarily prohibit the importation of swine and ruminants, plus any fresh swine or ruminant meat (chilled or frozen) and other products of swine and ruminants from the European Union.

The Agriculture Department took similar action regarding the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland in late February.

This is the latest in a series of measures taken by USDA in recent weeks to guard against the disease.

Another key measure is prohibiting travelers from carrying into the United States any agricultural products, particularly animal products, that could spread the disease.

Passengers also are required to identify to U.S. Customs and USDA officials any farm contact while abroad.

According to USDA, other preventive measures include:

•Heightened alert at ports of entry and airports.

•Heightened alert and coordination with state agriculture officials and USDA officials stationed throughout the world.

•A public education campaign to increase awareness of the disease and preventive steps to be taken.

The United States has been free of foot-and-mouth disease since 1929. While the disease poses no threat to humans, it can be devastating to ruminants and swine.

Notable Quotables

"At the end of the day, Castro will go. And I think when that day comes, there will be an opportunity for a new relationship with Cuba that will benefit the entire hemisphere."

Secretary of State Colin Powell, speaking about the future of trade with Cuba.