ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 14, 2008

JOHNSON MOBILIZES NASDA MEMBERS TO FIGHT THREATENED FARM BILL VETO

BISMARCK – The president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) has mobilized his counterparts in an effort to override an anticipated veto of the Farm Bill.

"As you know, the House is voting on the Farm Bill today with a likely vote in the Senate tomorrow,” Johnson told the NASDA membership Wednesday. “While both chambers are now expected to pass the bill, the Administration has stated its intent to veto it. I urge you to again contact your congressional delegation and ask them to support the bill and vote in favor of overriding the veto.”

NASDA is comprised of the commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture in the 50 states and four U.S. territories.

"Far too much is at stake to lose the Farm Bill at this late date,” Johnson said.

Last week, Johnson urged NASDA members to work with their congressional delegations towards passage of the Farm Bill because the final legislation contains many NASDA priorities including disaster assistance, specialty crop block grants, renewable energy, interstate meat sales, conservation program funding, and a fruit/vegetable school nutrition program.

"It appears we now have enough votes for that,” he said. “What’s also needed is enough votes to override a veto.”

-30-

MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.