99 



-5- 



Another area vital to agriculture is the rebuilding of our 

 marketing infrastructure. ASA is concerned about the ability of 

 many producers to bring their crops to market and the impact these 

 dislocations will have on local prices for soybeans. State and 

 local governments do not have the resources needed to respond to 

 these problems. With harvest approaching. Federal assistance is 

 needed immediately to remove transportation bottlenecks and repair 

 damaged roads, bridges and storage facilities. 



Even if all the problems I have mentioned area addressed, Mr. 

 Chairman, soybean producers affected by this year's disasters will 

 need several years of sustained market demand and higher prices to 

 earn their way back to profitability. The best long-term action 

 the Federal government can take is ratify NAFTA and complete 

 negotiations on a good GATT agreement that expands market access 

 for soybeans and soybean products around the world. ASA strongly 

 supports these efforts, and will continue to work closely with the 

 Administration and Members of Congress to reach a successful 

 outcome in both GATT and NAFTA. 



As you and other members of this Subcommittee well know, the 

 disasters do not end when the weather subsides, when the flood 

 recedes or when rains finally come. It will take years for many 

 producers to recover. At these times, it is good to know that we 

 have friends in Congress who do care if farmers continue to farm 

 and who are willing to work with us to give us a chance to do just 

 that. ASA appreciates your leadership and we look forward to 

 working with you to address and overcome the long-term on lasting 

 effects of the 1993 disasters on soybean producers. Thank you very 

 much. 



