Durbin Meets with Agriculture Secretary Johanns to Discuss Illinois Priorities

DURBIN MEETS WITH AGRICULTURE SECRETARY JOHANNS TO DISCUSS ILLINOIS PRIORITIES

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, to urge him to help Illinois farmers by supporting critical drought relief funding for the state. Durbin also addressed the impact of rising fuel costs on Illinois farmers.

"After suffering through one of the worst droughts the state has seen in over 100 years, Illinois farmers are struggling to make ends meet," said Durbin. "Last fall, when Secretary Johanns came to the state to observe the damage, he designated every county but one a disaster area. Today, I strongly urged him to reconsider his opposition to the drought relief contained in the Supplemental Appropriations bill. If the Secretary designates most of Illinois as a disaster area, he must understand the need to assist Illinois farmers."

Earlier this month, Durbin helped to include $4 billion in emergency aid as part of the Supplemental Appropriations bill approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The aid would assist farmers in Illinois and across the nation by extending federal aid to states confronted with drought, hurricanes and floods. Before going into effect, the bill must be passed by the Senate and approved by a Senate-House conference committee. Durbin said that the Secretary's support will play a critical role in convincing conferees to approve this much-needed assistance.

During his meeting with Sec. Johanns, Durbin noted that drought conditions reduced crop yields, causing serious financial hardship for Illinois farm families in 2005. The Illinois Department of Agriculture estimates that Illinois farmers suffered $433 million in losses as a direct result of the drought. At least 10 counties in Northeast and Western Illinois sustained greater than 20 percent losses in corn yields.

In addition to coping with crop losses, farmers have had to deal with significantly higher operating costs, as a result of increased fuel prices. For Illinois farmers, increased fuel prices mean higher costs for operating farm machinery, as well as rising fertilizer and pesticide prices. Durbin noted that the average Illinois farmer, with a 1,000 acre farm, is paying $24,000 more than he or she did in 2001 to operate a farm. This 30 percent increase in costs is a direct result of higher gas prices which have led to higher fuel, fertilizer and pesticide costs for farmers across the state.

"Last year's drought and this year's high gas prices could put struggling farmers out of business. That's why it is important that the Secretary of Agriculture voice his strong support for our Illinois farmers," said Durbin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee's Agriculture Subcommittee.

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=254898&&