Freedom To Farm Act
Not Cause Of Ag Woes

TOPEKA, Kan. —(AP)— Farmers across the state are feeling the financial pinch from low commodity prices.

But they shouldn't blame a federal Freedom to Farm Act passed two years ago, U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts said Monday.

Roberts said the law, which phases out crop subsidies in exchange for removing constraints on what crops farmers plant in what acreages, has nothing to do with low prices.

It's not surprising that Roberts would defend the law. He was its chief architect, having served as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee when it was drafted, the same year he won his Senate seat.

"Most farmers I talk to are happy with the flexibility," Roberts told reporters during a Statehouse news conference.

Roberts said the low prices are in part the result of increased production of crops. He noted that China, Australia and European nations increased their production of wheat.

At the same time, he said, demand decreased because of economic problems in Asia and Latin America.

"We need to get aggressive in regard to trade," Roberts said.