November 2, 1999
Web posted at: 9:39 a.m. EST (1439 GMT)

WASHINGTON (Des Moines Register) -- Former U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley voted in 1996 for the Republicans' Freedom to Farm Act. But after campaigning in Iowa this year, Bradley is joining Vice President Al Gore in calling for a new national farm policy.

Bradley said an effective agriculture safety net should ensure that "government supports increase as prices decrease to deliver payments to farmers in their greatest time of need."

Gore, his opponent for the Democratic presidential nomination, said the GOP-backed law "is demonstrably misguided in a time of declining prices and overseas markets in turmoil."

Bradley and Gore answered a series of questions on agriculture policy from The Des Moines Register. Their answers, in many instances, clash directly with the positions of the GOP candidates published Monday.

All four Republicans responding to the Register survey, for example, supported Freedom to Farm and its shift to a more market-oriented agriculture policy. Critics including President Clinton have said that after two years of multi-billion-dollar farm bailouts, it's time to reconsider Freedom to Farm.

Bradley insists his change of heart is not a case of political expediency. "I didn't know a lot about agriculture," the New Jersey Democrat said, adding he's learned much from Iowa farmers.

Gore, however, continued to take aim at some of Bradley's votes in the Senate, which Gore says ran counter to farmers' interests. "I have not ducked when votes for . . . agricultural interests were on the floor," said Gore, who as vice president cast a tie-breaking vote against a proposal Bradley sponsored to cut subsidies for corn-based ethanol fuel.

Bradley says as a presidential candidate he takes a wider view of issues and now supports ethanol.

The Democrat opposes raising farm income through government price supports, which can establish minimum market prices that end up making it harder to sell U.S. food in world markets.

"Higher market prices are the only fair and equitable way for farmers to get paid," Bradley said.

Gore said the farm economy should be market-oriented so long as federal payments help maintain farm income.

He, too, is reluctant to see federally mandated minimum prices for key commodities. But Gore also said commodity prices can be supported through so-called "marketing loans," which essentially give farmers a minimum price but allow market prices to still rise and fall. If prices fall low enough, farmers don't have to pay back the loans.

Bradley and Gore oppose a longtime tenet of Democratic farm policy: controlling production to balance supply with demand.

Crop supplies, Bradley said, "will inevitably fluctuate together with demand. Sometimes, this will cause lower prices." He said boosting farm income through direct payments will help stabilize the agriculture economy yet "not encourage excess production."

Gore agreed.

"Washington should not be in the business of dictating to farmers what crops to plant," he said.

On the controversial question of genetically modified seeds, Bradley said the technology "may hold great promise."

But he also said that "the key to genetically modified foods and other forms of biotechnology is making sure they are safe for the consumer, while giving farmers access to the best technology."

Because of health concerns, some European countries have balked at importing food grown using biotechnology.

Bradley said consumers "have a legitimate interest in wanting to know if foreign substances have been introduced into their food supply."

Gore was stronger in his backing for biotechnology, saying it holds "tremendous promise for producers at home and consumers here and abroad."

Gore said, "We cannot accept trade barriers based on fear and protectionism."

Bradley and Gore strongly back a recent law requiring meat packers to report prices they pay for livestock.

Bradley said enforcement of laws banning anti-competitive activities in the livestock industry should be moved from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the Justice Department.

Gore opposes shifting the USDA's antitrust programs and said the USDA should get more antitrust resources.

Gore and Bradley also agree on expanding the Conservation Reserve Program, under which landowners get almost $2 billion a year to idle 36 million acres of marginal cropland.

This report provided by Des Moines Register.com.

Tuesday, November 2, 1999

• GOP wins control of Virginia's General Assembly
• Smith named committee chair
• Chafee's son named to fill father's Senate seat
• GOP front-runner Bush calls for system of 'moral education'
• Senate passes last spending bill under a veto threat
• Moseley-Braun confirmation hearings postponed
• Des Moines Register: Bradley shifts stance on Freedom to Farm Act
• Western Republicans criticize Clinton's forest proposal
• Republicans question big government lawsuits against industry
• House rejects measure for electronic signatures
• GOP minimum wage bill draws veto threat
• Administration, congressional allies seeking immigration change

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