NASHVILLE, Tenn.- A record level of support for conservation programs has been proposed for American farmers.
The proposed $3.9 billion US for the 2004 fiscal year budget was announced by secretary of agriculture Ann Veneman at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association annual meeting in Nashville on Jan. 30.
This is double the amount spent two years ago on conservation programs.
“About $3.5 billion of the president’s record level proposal will be given in financial assistance or other direct payments to farmers,” said Veneman.
President George Bush presents his budget next week for Congressional approval.
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Working with the federal government, state and local committees will provide guidelines and approvals for new water programs, grazing and brush management, waste storage facilities and nutrient handling on a cost-shared basis with producers.
Within the new conservation budget, $2 billion is designated for the conservation reserve program.
In addition, Veneman announced she is seeking a record level of funding for food safety initiatives throughout the country.
Agriculture will also support funds for homeland security to cover potential terrorist threats to the food supply and strengthened inspections at 157 borders and ports.
Next month, 2,800 agriculture inspectors and veterinarians will move under the jurisdiction of the homeland security department. Their duty is to handle investigations at borders and protect the U.S. from deliberate or unintentional introduction of disease as well as potential terrorist threats.
Working with homeland security, the department of agriculture is upgrading animal disease control centres and laboratories for faster diagnosis and tracking of diseases like foot-and-mouth.
The security department will eventually oversee 22 federal agencies and employ 170,000 people.
