AGRICULTURE REPORT - Candidates State Their Positions on Far

AGRICULTURE REPORT - Candidates State Their Positions on Farm Policy
By Mario Ritter

Broadcast: Tuesday, October 19, 2004

This is Gwen Outen with the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.

Recently, the American Farm Bureau Federation¹ asked the major presidential candidates about farm issues. Here are some of the answers by President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry.

The Farm Bureau asked what policies the candidates would propose to strengthen farming.

President Bush said the farm bill of two thousand two had provided payments to farmers when prices were low. The Department of Agriculture says the bill has provided farmers with more than fifteen thousand million dollars.

Senator Kerry said he would seek fair trade policies. He also said he would expand agriculture markets to include new kinds of products. Mister Kerry said he supported financial protection against low prices and other risks for farmers.

The Farm Bureau asked how the candidates would change America's energy policy to meet energy needs while moving toward renewable energy sources in the future.

Senator Kerry proposed a Clean Fuels Partnership² that would bring together government, agriculture and industry. The goal would be to have twenty percent of America's motor fuel produced from American agricultural products by the year twenty twenty. One example is ethanol, a fuel made from grain.

President Bush said he proposed a bill to provide four thousand million dollars in lower taxes for renewable energy businesses. But that bill has not passed in Congress.

The Farm Bureau asked if the candidates would seek greater acceptance of biotechnology products.

President Bush said he opposes identifying genetically³ engineered food with labels. He said the government is aiding farmers who do not want to grow such crops.

Senator Kerry said he would seek the acceptance of safe agricultural products around the world. He said nations should not use the issue of biotechnology to unfairly close their markets to American exports.

Both candidates were asked why farmers should vote them.

President Bush said he understands the problems of farmers. And he added it was important to pass more tax cuts and to open new markets.

Senator Kerry said he wants to help American family farmers compete in the international agricultural economy. He said he would fight for fair trade and protect farmers from risks like floods and lack of rain.

This VOA Special English Agriculture Report was written by Mario Ritter. This is Gwen Outen.

1 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

2 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

3 genetically   

adv.遗传上

参考例句：

• All the bees in the colony are genetically related. 同一群体的蜜蜂都有亲缘关系。
• Genetically modified foods have already arrived on American dinner tables. 经基因改造加工过的食物已端上了美国人的餐桌。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 基因与食物