Senator Proposes Big
New Ag Subsidy Plan

FARGO, N.D. —(AP)— U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said an alternative farm bill he plans to introduce in Congress later this month will be designed to counter European farm subsidies that are up to 10 times higher than U.S. price support levels.

The plan would put domestic price supports at a level equal to the European Union, and give farmers the option of leaving the current farm program for the new one, the North Dakota senator said.

``European subsidies have distorted global markets and put our producers at an unfair advantage,'' he said. ``It's time to fight back.''

Conrad estimated his plan will more than double current farm program spending to $12 billion. But he said that level still would be much less than allowed under world trade rules.

Conrad said now is a critical time to introduce an alternative because the problems North Dakota farmers have been experiencing is spreading to other states, and more people are interested in doing more.

``I think the best way to fight back is to educate people as to what our farmers are up against because we don't have a level playing field,'' Conrad said. ``The Europeans are spending so much more that it puts our people at a competitive disadvantage, and that's why I think this bill makes sense.''