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and immediate so that economic damage to our rural towns and communities is not 

 completely overwhelming. 



Yet another near-tragedy has befallen many ot Southern Missouri's corn producers. 

 The contamination of corn by aflatoxin has wreaked havoc with harvest efforts and virtually 

 eliminated markets overnight. In late August, I was in the midst of an extensive, annual 

 agriculture tour of Southern Missouri when the news first hit. Hundreds of farmers were 

 turned away at both grain elevators and ports due to the aflatoxin infestation. Truckloads 

 of corn, albeit entire corn fields and crops were rendered useless because of this microtoxin 

 affliction. 



The Food and Drug Administration's action to allow blending for the purpose of 

 livestock consumption has helped ease the pain somewhat. I commend FDA Associate 

 Commissioner Ron Chesemore, Mr. John Wessel, and their staff for their expedient and 

 decisive efforts to help thousands of Missouri corn growers in their struggle to deal with yet 

 another natural calamity. However, we are far from having this dilemma behind us. 



Today, this committee is moving forward in responding to the needs of so many 

 domestic agricultural producers who have fallen victim to this recent natural disaster and 

 related problems. Our farm producers need help and they need it now for far too many 

 have nowhere to turn. The help and assistance this committee, this Congress, and the 

 Administration can bring to the many suffering throughout our local towns and communities 

 is more critical now than ever. 



