Candidates State Their Positions on Farm Policy

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2004-10-18

This is Gwen Outen with the VOA Special English Agriculture
Report.

Recently, the American Farm Bureau Federation asked the major
presidential candidates about farm issues. Here are some of the
answers by President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry.

The Farm Bureau asked what policies the candidates would propose
to strengthen farming.

President Bush said the farm bill of two thousand two had
provided payments to farmers when prices were low. The Department of
Agriculture says the bill has provided farmers with more than
fifteen thousand million dollars.

Senator Kerry said he would seek fair trade policies. He also
said he would expand agriculture markets to include new kinds of
products. Mister Kerry said he supported financial protection
against low prices and other risks for farmers.

The Farm Bureau asked how the candidates would change America's
energy policy to meet energy needs while moving toward renewable
energy sources in the future.

Senator Kerry proposed a Clean Fuels Partnership that would bring
together government, agriculture and industry. The goal would be to
have twenty percent of America's motor fuel produced from American
agricultural products by the year twenty twenty. One example is
ethanol, a fuel made from grain.

President Bush said he proposed a bill to provide four thousand
million dollars in lower taxes for renewable energy businesses. But
that bill has not passed in Congress.

The Farm Bureau asked if the candidates would seek greater
acceptance of biotechnology products.

President Bush said he opposes identifying genetically engineered
food with labels. He said the government is aiding farmers who do
not want to grow such crops.

Senator Kerry said he would seek the acceptance of safe
agricultural products around the world. He said nations should not
use the issue of biotechnology to unfairly close their markets to
American exports.

Both candidates were asked why farmers should vote them.

President Bush said he understands the problems of farmers. And
he added it was important to pass more tax cuts and to open new
markets.

Senator Kerry said he wants to help American family farmers
compete in the international agricultural economy. He said he would
fight for fair trade and protect farmers from risks like floods and
lack of rain.

This VOA Special English Agriculture Report was written by Mario
Ritter. This is Gwen Outen.