Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - New ag secretary Schafer hasn't weighed in on disaster aid issue

New ag secretary Schafer hasn't weighed in on disaster aid issue

Jan 31, 2008 - 04:07:00 CST

By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Newly installed Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer, the former governor of North Dakota, indicates he will not fight the Bush administration's opposition to a permanent fund for weather-related disaster aid, despite the idea's popularity in his region.

Schafer did not directly say that he opposed the idea, which is included in the Senate-passed version of the farm bill. But he said his new job is different than when he was governor of the state.

"This is a national-scope stage now, and the president came to a proper conclusion" in terms of budget and how a new farm bill will affect global trade talks, Schafer told reporters Wednesday.

"All those things are different on my desk than they were when I was governor," he said.

Schafer said farmers need a safety net when disaster strikes, but much of that can be taken care of through crop insurance, subsidies and emergency disaster relief. He added that he is not certain what the right mix is, and the issue "is trying to be sorted out."

"I haven't weighed in," he concluded.

The Bush administration has threatened to veto both the House and Senate versions of the farm bill passed last year, saying the bills use gimmicks and tax increases to fund more farm programs.

Among their objections is to the $5 billion fund for disaster relief included in the Senate version, and has strong support from Democrats and Republicans in the Dakotas delegations. The administration says a permanent pot of money could lead to false expectations among farmers.

Disaster aid has been a top priority for current North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven, who said in a statement that he will continue to push for it.

Administration officials have shown little willingness to negotiate over their opposition to the extra money for programs, and Schafer confirmed that, saying there would be no compromise.

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Comments

Larry wrote on Jan 31, 2008 10:23 PM:

" Ed Schafer is like his boss, a Lame Duck. Not much he can accomplish in 353 days. If he had four years his boss wouldn't pay any attention anyway. "

Change of Heart? NOT! wrote on Jan 31, 2008 7:17 PM:

" Secretary Ed Schafer is just another Republican shill and G. W. Bush crony. He isn't able to change anyone's mind in the Bush Administration concerning anything positive for any U.S. Farmers. You farmers and ranchers in N.D, aren't you glad you voted for G. W. Bush - TWICE? Who are you going to vote for the next time, another Republican loser who hates farmers? "

good governor! wrote on Jan 31, 2008 6:39 PM:

" The news media always seems to go to the largest farmers when they interview, people fail to see all the smaller farmers struggling to make ends meet. Just like in business, there are people who are able to make more money and then the average Joe who has a struggle. There should be more restrictions on the payments the large farmers receive, they have multiple loopholes. The small farmer just gets his small share. The small farmer and the average working folks arare the people who are at a disadvantage in this USA, prices are high for their inputs and living expenses and they have no way of increasing their income! "

to good governor wrote on Jan 31, 2008 3:24 PM:

" Do we know wht it is like to be a farmer? No not at all. One thing sticks in my head a couple of years back Pomeroy was on the news with a bunch of farmers complaining to him about how much money they don't have. This meeting took place outside and if you looked in the background behind all the "complaining" farmers were brand new chevy durmax trucks along with brand new for f250's and F350's. Keep complaining farmers everydody can see what you make. "

good governor! wrote on Jan 31, 2008 12:51 PM:

" I knew it was not for the good of the farmers when he got in.He fooled even our good Democratic Senators. Do you people who are against the bill even have half an idea what it is like to be a farmer with all the tripled and higher expenses that they incur? The oil people are the people who are running this country, along with Mr Cheney and Mr Bush! Governor Hoeven is on the right track for the people of ND. Hope he can keep up the good work. "

it's over wrote on Jan 31, 2008 10:13 AM:

" Well, I didn't figure it would happen so soon, but it looks like the happy bipartisanism is over. I can't call Ed a traitor, yet, tho' The president doesn't like family farmers very much because they don't donate the big bucks like the energy companies do. So sad. "

diggs wrote on Jan 31, 2008 10:06 AM:

" Kudos to Sec. Schafer for standing up for what the Republican party believes in. Oh by the way, most farmers in North Dakota vote conservative so there should not be one complaint on this page. Disaster relief is just one more pork barrel item that should be eliminated according to conservatives. I welcome any farmer to vote democrat the next time the issue of disater aid for agriculture comes up. "

Hemp wrote on Jan 31, 2008 9:03 AM:

" Good, Ed. You have to pick your battles. Now let's get industrial hemp approved, shall we? Or, at least, state whether you are for or against it. You owe the people back home that much. "

nobody from ND wrote on Jan 31, 2008 8:45 AM:

" Sounds like another Bush puppet! "

SE Forty wrote on Jan 31, 2008 7:52 AM:

" He's one of george's boys now. For the next year anyhow. Was he really a great governer or is it just like when someone dies and all of a sudden the person is a hero. "

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