Release No.  0331.98

Remarks

                                              of
          Radio Message of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
                                    August 10, 1998

     "As most farmers know, the 1996 Farm Bill provides market transition
payments tofarmers every year through the year 2002, when the current farm
bill expires.

     "This Administration has long held the position that when it comes to
these payments,farmers -- not the federal government -- should decide when
producers need this influx of cash most. President Clinton will soon sign a
bill that hands this decision to farmers, putting the fullforce of these
payments behind producers as they cope with current cash shortages.

     "Starting in October, farmers can take either their entire year's
payment, or their first of two half-payments. It's their choice. 

     "While this $5.5 billion infusion will give farmers some temporary
economic breathing room, we should not forget that farmers would get this
money at some point -- with or without this bill. The early release of these
funds is not likely to change the fact that farm income is expected to decline
by $7.5 billion this year, nor will it calm Mother Nature's mean temperament. 

     "While advancing payments is a welcome step, many more must follow.
Congress should support the International Monetary Fund's efforts to
reinvigorate vital U.S. markets in Asia. Congress also needs to pass disaster
assistance to help farmers recover from repeated or severe crop losses. We
need a permanent emergency livestock program, and we need to adjust crop
insurance to better assist farmers who face back-to-back blows. Congress also
must reverse its one-strike' rule that says any farmer who restructured a debt
can never get another USDA farm loan. 

     "A wise man once said,  for every complex problem, there is a simple and
wrong solution.' There is no quick fix to today's farm crisis. We need to work
on a number of fronts to ensure that no family farmer who makes wise, prudent
decisions loses their land to an act of God. 

     "The advancing of these payments is only one part of the solution to the
problems our farmers and ranchers are facing."        #