01/26/05 New Ag Secretary on Emerson Trust

Farm and Ranch January 26, 2005 National wheat industry organizations are urging the administration and congressional leaders to ensure that the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust be replenished with wheat stocks. The Wheat Export Trade Education Committee, U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers, say prompt replenishment of wheat will send a signal that the United States is serious about maintaining this program in a way that allows the U.S. to respond to emergency food needs when and where they occur. The Bush Administration announced last month it was donating 200-thousand tons of Emerson Trust wheat to Sudan. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns held his first teleconference with farmbroadcasters this week and I asked him to comment on this wheat industry request as well as concerns by some in the industry that the administration would like to monetize the reserve and hold cash instead of grain. Johanns: "I am familiar with what you are talking about and I am going to ask you for an opportunity to get a more in depth briefing in terms of your specific question. I can offer a thought though on your last part on money versus food. You are going to see me be an advocate for the food part of this because I think that is what makes sense for agriculture. If it is a money program it becomes another aid program." As of December the Emerson Trust held about 1.4 million tons of wheat and 87 million dollars in funds. The Trust is authorized to hold up to four million metric tons of wheat, corn, rice and sorghum. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.