06/30/05 Senators want RMA head gone

Farm and Ranch June 30, 2005 A trio of farm-state lawmakers, including both Republicans and Democrats, called for the resignation of USDA Risk Management Agency Administrator Ross Davidson at a Senate hearing this week. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who has called for Davidson's dismissal before, read the administrator a laundry lists of reasons to resign. Grassley: "From the Standard Reinsurance negotiation to evolution of the Premium Reduction Program. From discovery of soybean rust to constituent services I have raised numerous questions about the decisions made by the administrator and his inability to work with or provide service to my constituents." North Dakota Democrat Kent Conrad said ag producers in his state want Davidson to leave, and Kansas Republican Pat Roberts told Davidson he was personally going to ask Ag Secretary Johanns to find someone else to head RMA. Roberts: "I intend to recommend to Secretary Johanns that we need what I would call a new producer and crop insurance friendly leadership at the USDA." As for his part Ross Davidson said he isn't going anywhere until he's told to. Davidson: "As we all know I serve at the pleasure of this administration. When I am asked to resign I will obviously agree to do that. Until that time...I serve at the pleasure." Former Secretary Ann Veneman appointed Davidson as RMA administrator in February of 2002. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.