Ag product groups want U.S. food aid budget restored
The largest American agricultural product groups have banded together to lobby Congress for full funding of the country’s “backbone” international food aid programs in fiscal 2006.
President Bush’s proposed budget would divert $300 million from the U.S. Department of Agiculture’s PL-480 Title II food aid program to the Agency for International Development for purchasing these commodities from overseas markets.
The agricultural groups addressed their concerns in a March 3 letter to the Senate and House budget committees. The groups are especially concerned about the policy implications of moving budget allocations out of agriculture to the State Department.
“In this case the express purpose appears to be to avoid purchases of U.S. commodities in favor of purchasing foreign-sourced commodities or other items,” the groups said. “To the extent the Agency for International Development needs such a program, it should not be at the expense of U.S. farmers, processors, or taxpayers.”
The agricultural groups also pointed out the reallocation of funds could reduce U.S. direct food assistance by 25 percent. “In light of the ever-increasing humanitarian need for global assistance from the United States, we believe now is not the time to signal a retreat from programs that have delivered high-quality, nutritious food to billions of people over 50 years,” the groups said.
In addition, the agricultural groups challenged the congressional intent of the proposed budget reallocation. Congress has stated that the goal of PL-480 Title II program is to provide at least 2.5 million tons of food aid annually. Under the proposed Bush budget, the program would have $885 million and could provide 1.7 million tons of food at most, the groups said.
Agricultural groups that signed the letter include the North American Millers’ Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, Wheat Export Trade Education Committee, U.S. Wheat Associates, U.S. Dry Bean Council, USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, USA Rice Federation, National Oilseed Processors Association, and the International Food Additives Council.