15 



into this country. It just seems to be kind of a crazy way to do busi- 

 ness. 



So we hope that we can find out some way to inspect this wheat 

 and have some idea what kind of quahty it is and what affect it 

 is having. 



I was talking to one of my elevators yesterday that bought three 

 truckloads of wheat from Canada. It is a big problem trying to get 

 it inspected. The vomitoxin tests take 10 days. Whereas I under- 

 stand, if the Grain Inspection Service did it, they have the ability 

 to do that quicker. 



And it just, I think, would solve a lot of problems if we could ad- 

 dress this somehow or another, whether it's through a bill or you 

 doing it administratively. 



Mr. Weber. We appreciate your comments. 



Mr. Peterson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Johnson. The gentleman from Oregon, Mr. Smith. 



Mr. Smith of Oregon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Weber, since the administration has determined that quality 

 loss ought to be compensable, I was very critical of that decision 

 until you decided to cover sprouted wheat which made me a lot 

 more interested in your program. 



However, I want to talk with you a minute about the decision 

 about compensation for quality on all commodities in this text. 



First let me ask you: How much has been expended by the De- 

 partment for quality loss above the normal program of disaster re- 

 lief? 



Mr. Weber. From the standpoint of 1993, I really don't have a 

 number at this point because we are just getting started in that 

 process. 



With regard to earlier years, up to this point, only quality loss 

 payments were made with regard to the 1992 crop of com; and that 

 was about $120 million. 



Certainly we are making quality adjustments for other program 

 crops for 1990, 1991, and 1992; and it is expected that will expend 

 a good deal of the $300 million that is appropriated for those 

 losses. 



Mr. Smith of Oregon. Mr. Weber, assuming — well, the facts are 

 that payments to people with disasters are about 25 cents on the 

 dollar roughly, I think, 26 cents after all the formula process. 



Are we dissipating the opportunity to repay a higher margin to 

 those who have disasters because we have quality relief now? 



Mr. Weber. Certainly within a framework of limited dollars, 

 when you include quality adjustments, it does cut down on that. 



However, those producers that suffer that quality seem to think 

 they need to have some consideration in that vein as well. 



Mr. Smith of Oregon. I understand. Everybody that has a loss 

 wants repajrment from somebody. 



Well, for instance, we have a green bean problem in Oregon. If 

 they qualify for loss, will green beans be covered with quality? 



Mr. Weber. The statute does provide for quality — has provided 

 for quality losses on nonprogram crops. 



Mr. Smith of Oregon. So green beans would qualify? 



Mr. Weber. Would qualify, yes. 



