The food and agricultural policies adopted by this Administration over the
past four years, including those described above, will provide a firm
foundation for future governmental actions in this field. Expiration of the
Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 later this year will require early
attention by the Congress. With relatively minor changes, most of the
authorities contained in the 1977 Act should be extended in their present
form. The farmer-owned grain reserve has proven to be a particularly
effective means of stabilizing grain markets and should be preserved in
essentially its present form.
Beyond this, it will be important for the Congress to keep a close eye on
price-cost developments in the farm sector. As noted above, some of the
actions I took last year were for the purpose of providing relief from the
cost-price squeeze facing farmers. Should these pressures continue, further
actions might be required.
My Administration has devoted particular attention to the issues of world
hunger, agricultural land use, and the future structure of American
agriculture. I encourage the Congress and the next Administration to review
the results of these landmark enquiries and, where deemed appropriate, to
act on their recommendations.
Following a careful review of the situation, I recently extended the
suspension of grain sales to the Soviet Union. I am satisfied that this
action has served its purpose effectively and fairly. However, as long as
this suspension must remain in effect, it will be important for the next
Administration and the Congress to take whatever actions are necessary to
ensure that the burden does not fall unfairly on our Nation's farmers. This
has been a key feature of my Administration's policy, and it should be
maintained.