NASDA News May 1, 2006

Panel Reviews Federal Crop Insurance Program
Published: May 01, 2006

        The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a hearing on April 26 to review the federal crop insurance programs. The panel is chaired by Rep. Jerry Moran (R-KS).
        The hearing was intended to get feedback from producers about program delivery and implementation. In March, the subcommittee heard from industry and administration officials about the state of the crop insurance policies. Moran pointed out that crop insurance is an integral part of a producers' operation and the subcommittee wants to ensure that it is administered efficiently and effectively. The last time the federal crop insurance program underwent significant changes and improvements was in 2000 when Congress passed the Agricultural Risk Protection Act. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

Senator Urges More Oversight & Resources for Avian Flu
Published: May 01, 2006

        Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) this week called on the Senate Homeland Security Committee to review the current state of the nation's preparation for a pandemic flu outbreak. In a letter to the committee, Dayton expressed concern that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspectors lack adequate training to detect and contain possible human cases of avian influenza before they enter our borders. The senator also expressed concern about the lack of funding and coordination by the federal government to assist state and local responders. In November 2005, the administration announced its National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza, and federal agencies are expected to release more detailed response plans soon. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

Senator Announces Plans for Drought Mitigation Policy
Published: May 01, 2006

        Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) last week announced his plans to introduce legislation to establish a national drought preparedness and mitigation policy. Nelson said that drought is a recurring natural disaster that has a constant presence in the climate of the U.S. and should be approached with the same preparation and caution as other natural disasters like hurricanes, floods and tornados.
        The bill will be called the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Act of 2006. It will enable users to determine the potential impacts of drought, and the risks associated with drought and support data to help decide strategy for drought mitigation. Nelson said a federal policy will help states and local communities to prepare for and mitigate the damaging effects of drought. He is the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee's Disaster Prevention and Prediction Subcommittee. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

Forest Conservation Bill Introduced
Published: May 01, 2006

        Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) have introduced the bipartisan "Forest Service Partnership Act," which will improve the ability of the Forest Service to work cooperatively with local communities and others to improve conservation results. The bill gives the Forest Service permanent authority to work with other federal agencies, communities, tribal governments, and the private sector on conservation projects. Among its various benefits, the legislation would allow park visitors to purchase health and safety items in remote Forest Service locations, permit joint facilities and research publications. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

Senate Continues Work on Emergency Funding and Ag Disaster Bill
Published: May 01, 2006

        The Senate will continue work this week on the FY06 emergency supplemental funding package which includes $4 billion in agriculture disaster assistance. The $106 billion emergency funding package contains spending for the Iraq war and Hurricane Katrina relief. Numerous amendments are expected, mainly to strike out individual earmarked projects. Farm-state lawmakers are pushing for the $4 billion agriculture disaster assistance which would provide relief to producers who are suffering from natural disasters and high energy costs. Last week, NASDA sent a letter to the Senate urging passage of the agriculture funding. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)