EMERSON SAYS U.S. NEEDS TO BOOST COMMODITY PRICES

WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. government needs to boost depressed commodity prices specifically wheat to help struggling farmers, U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, says.

Emerson renewed his call for higher prices in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy.

"Our farmers can't wait any longer they need help," Emerson said.

He urged Espy to act on a large Export Enhancement Program proposal that would increase grain sales to Mexico. He said the action would counter the alleged dumping of wheat by Canadians into the Mexican market.

"Export Enhancement will help level that playing field, boost prices at home, as well as send a strong message to the Canadians that the U.S. will defend its farmers from unfair trade practices," Emerson said.

The U.S. has used the EEP in the past to counter European Community trading policies.

Emerson is the ranking Republican on the House Agriculture General Farm Commodities Subcommittee. Last month, he and other farm state lawmakers sent a bipartisan letter to Espy urging action on the EEP.

"Market share has slipped over the years and the price per bushel of wheat is about a dollar lower than 12 months ago," Emerson said.