ASCROFT STOPS HERE TO OUTLINE AGRICULTURE PLANS

Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Ashcroft said Saturday that with the Farm Bill scheduled to be rewritten and reauthorization planned on other agriculture legislation he would take office with a strong agenda for agriculture.

At a press conference at the Horace Hitt Farm on Highway 74, Ashcroft announced formation of a 41-member farm advisory committee to help him develop a sound farm policy.

"Twenty percent of the people in Missouri work in agriculture or agriculture processing," said Ashcroft, who faces Democrat Alan Wheat in November. "It is indeed the economic foundation of this state."

Ashcroft, who made seven stops around Missouri with members of his committee and representatives of Missouri Farm Bureau Saturday, said agriculture will be a major issue next year as the Farm Bill is re-written and legislation like the Clean Water and Endangered Species acts are reauthorized.

As a member of the Senate, Ashcroft promised to work for "market-oriented farm polices" that deal with farmers in a cooperative relationship rather than an adversarial way.

Besides the advisory committee, Ashcroft said he has received input from visiting all 114 counties during the primary campaign and he is in the process of doing it again for the general election.

Hal Sweeney of Platte City, chairman of Ashcroft's committee, said the group would play a major role assisting the Republican candidate.

"When we deal with these issues, it is vital to have someone like John Ashcroft working for us in Washington, D.C.," said Sweeney.

Linda Beckmeyer, a committee member from Hartsburg, said that as governor Ashcroft worked hard on farm issues. "It is important we have someone elected in this race who understands our industry and who can put some common sense back in government," she said.

Charles Kruse, who served as director of agriculture when Ashcroft was governor and is now Missouri Farm Bureau president, reiterated the endorsement of Ashcroft by the 80,000 families of Farm Bureau. "He is a man of common sense, good judgment and values," said Kruse, who has a farm near Dexter.

Ashcroft said his agriculture plan calls for federal programs focused on technical assistance rather than regulatory mandates; replacement of crop insurance with a natural disaster relief fund; the federal government working cooperatively with agriculture to improve profitability, quality, and sound natural resource management; protection of property rights; improved agricultural research and use of new technologies; and finding ways to open export markets.

"Government policies should strengthen productivity, not oppressively regulate Missouri agriculture," said Ashcroft.