Chairman Boozman Stresses Need to Boost Domestic Demand for Farm Products

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) launched the first in a series of hearings to gather recommendations from agriculture industry leaders on policy improvements to help boost consumption of American-grown agricultural products.

The following is the Chairman's opening statement as prepared for delivery:

"Good afternoon. It is my privilege to call this hearing to order. I thank my colleagues for joining us.

I also would like to thank our witnesses for being here. Many of you farm and we all know that this is an important time of year on the farm as you prepare to plant your next crop.

Today's hearing comes at a time of great financial stress for America's farmers. If you are putting something in the ground, you are losing money. It doesn't matter what you are planting or where you are planting it, no row crop is currently profitable. In my home state of Arkansas, the last three years have been absolutely punishing.

Arkansas now holds the unfortunate distinction of leading the nation in Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies-a sobering statistic.

I remain committed, with my colleague Senator Hoeven from North Dakota, to pursuing additional financial assistance for our farmers to lengthen and widen the Farmer Bridge Assistance program that President Trump announced in December.

The recent history of high input costs, high labor costs, and high interest rates coupled with low prices and significant trade headwinds for certain commodities should give us all good reason to think about what the future of agriculture in the United States should look like.

It is clear that China is not a dependable trading partner and that Brazil is doing everything it can to take over the agriculture markets that traditionally have been dominated by the United States.

I commend the administration for pursing new markets and holding our trading partners accountable. Agricultural trade must remain a high priority for the United States. Expanding market access and developing new trading partners is crucial to the success of American producers and our rural communities.

However, our recent experiences have made me think about how we can build more robust domestic markets that will not subject our producers to the whims of foreign governments. This hearing is intended to begin that conversation.

My hope for today is that we start exploring new domestic opportunities for our farmers. What are the impediments limiting domestic consumption? What incentives would be helpful? Are there legal, regulatory, or procedural obstacles at the federal, state, or local level that need to be addressed? Is the tax code structured in a way to make American grown commodities more attractive? Do we have the necessary processing infrastructure?

In the coming weeks and months, the committee will continue to explore this topic. I intend on discussing this topic with processors, manufacturers, and retailers as well. Domestic market development will remain my priority as Chairman.

Again, I thank my colleagues and our witnesses for being here today."