Farm group blasts Bush's budget cuts | Billings Gazette

[Ediacara]

Farm group blasts Bush's budget cuts

By JIM GRANSBERY
Of The Gazette Staff

The state and national leaders of the Farmers Union want the Bush administration and Congress to know that budget cuts cannot be unfairly weighted against farmers.

"Treat everyone fairly," said David Frederickson, president of the National Farmers Union, which opened its national convention in Billings Friday. "Don't expect us to shoulder an unfair portion."

Frederickson said the U.S. Department of Agriculture will take the largest hit of any cabinet-level department under the Bush administration's fiscal year 2005 budget that was just sent to Congress.

Under the president's plan the USDA's 2005 budget authority for discretionary programs would be reduced about $1.7 billion or 8.1 percent below spending levels for the current fiscal year.

Frederickson several other topics will be campaign issues. First is the country of origin labeling which was promised in the 2002 farm bill.

More at the Billings Gazette

[RC]

1. This is your affordable food here people.

Drive the independent farmers out of business and Monsanto will grow your gm veggies at top $$$.

[RoadRunner]

2. Is there anybody left that this administration hasn't pissed off?

:kick:

[leesa]

3. Republicans get cranky when they don't get their public welfare.

[sandnsea]

4. Farmers AND sportsmen???

There isn't anybody else to vote Republican in Montana. I think this is the year!