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May 4, 2001
Public support for ag
is good news indeed
By
Donald Patman
TFB President
Farmers have many things to worry about these days, but public opinion of agriculture should not be one of them. Virtually every public opinion poll shows deep levels of support and admiration for the families that work the land.
Case in point—a recent public opinion survey of registered Texas voters shows overwhelming support for government payments to farmers in periods of low prices and for protecting America's ability to grow its own food.
The Texas Interested Citizens Survey, conducted between March 29 and April 4 of this year, concludes that 66 percent of Texans favor government assistance to farmers when crop prices are low.
Even more Texans, 85 percent, agreed that the U.S. should remain independent in the ability to grow its own food supply. Sixty-nine percent said the U.S. should protect the domestic food production system even if cheaper food could be purchased from foreign suppliers.
The Texas Interested Citizens Survey was conducted by the Ft. Worth based Eppstein Group. More than 1,200 registered voters were interviewed, resulting in a margin of error of plus or minus 2.89 percent.
The results of this survey are very important, because they show clearly that the public understands just how important it is to preserve national food security. American agriculture today is in deep trouble, and government assistance is vital to the survival of a great many farmers.
Our fellow Texans clearly grasp the fact that supporting farm and ranch families is an investment in a future that includes food independence. We've all witnessed what happens when we allowed excessive regulations and high taxes to cripple domestic energy exploration. We don't need to be at the mercy of foreign suppliers, like we are for energy.
During the past three years, in the midst of an agricultural crisis that has not yet ended, Congress has acted very responsibly to protect agriculture. In the process, this statesmanship has helped America preserve the ability to produce its own food and fiber.
More than $18 billion has been appropriated to address this crisis. There is little room for doubt that, without this assistance, many farm families would have been forced off the land.
I know many farmers and ranchers have struggled during this crisis of natural disasters and extremely low prices. At times, it's all too easy to feel isolated. The best information we have, however, is that the public recognizes the importance of agriculture and food independence. That kind of support is good news, indeed.
