Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 9, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke urges President, Congress to help Washington farmers

OLYMPIA—Gov. Gary Locke has sent letters to President Clinton and four members of the state's Congressional delegation to urge bipartisan support for financial assistance to Washington's suffering agriculture communities.

Locke said the current world economic crises and international trade sanctions have disproportionately hurt the farmers in Washington. Locke cited a report recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that showed Washington farmers likely will see a 48 percent drop in farm income.

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers estimates losses of 60 cents a bushel stemming from sanctions that affect the new crops. Locke said similar reports are coming in from the pea, lentil and barley growers in Washington.

The governor's request comes at a time when efforts to put together a financial package in Congress appear to be caught in a gridlock. Democrats are proposing a marketing loan cap removal package. Republicans propose a one-time market loss concept, but the funds proposed are inadequate to meet the need.

"A sanctions compensation package that offers compensation for trade inequities would address trade imbalances and provide badly needed assistance for dedicated farm families who are being devastated by circumstances beyond their control," Locke said.

The governor is requesting assistance that would cover much of the anticipated loss to growers during the coming year that came from unilateral sanctions against potential customers around the world. Locke said it is appropriate to compensate farmers for foreign policy decisions that have hurt agriculture so disproportionately.

Locke sent letters to Washington Senators Patty Murray and Slade Gorton, and to U.S. Representatives George Nethercutt Jr. and Doc Hastings.

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