
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 6, 1991                   TAG: 9103061166
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

MADIGAN PROMISES TO FIGHT FOR FARMERS

When Edward Madigan is secretary of agriculture, he will see a lot of problems that he may have thought were solved during his 18 years in the House.

Some probably were solved or patched, temporarily, at least. But U.S. agriculture always seems to produce new goblins to contend with.

Madigan promised Tuesday that he would be a tough ally of farmers, and in one instance pledged to "fight like a junkyard dog" to protect their interests during international trade negotiations.

For two hours, the Illinois Republican told the Senate Agriculture Committee how he felt about his nomination - generally gung ho about the prospects - and promised to work closely with congressional farm leaders.

But Madigan said he would oppose special legislation to help dairy farmers from their current financial plight, raising the possibility that to do so would open the new 1990 farm law to further changes.

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., told Madigan he would have "to be a tough son-of-a-gun" for U.S. agriculture during the ongoing trade negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Madigan promised he would be a strong advocate of the American farmers.

Members of the Senate panel were full of praise for Madigan, and he is expected to breeze through a final vote on confirmation with no problem.

But private agricultural officials contacted by The Associated Press said Madigan will have a bumpy path as point man for Bush administration farm policies.

"His biggest challenge will be implementing the 1990 farm bill in a way that does not bring on another farm recession like we saw in the mid-1980s," said Larry Mitchell of the American Agriculture Movement.

The 1990 farm law provides a massive and complex web of programs and authorities over the next five years. It is the backbone of federal programs affecting farmers, rural towns, consumers and agricultural trade.

But no farm law is etched in granite. All are battered by those who want changes made. The 1990 act is no exception.

Some farm groups want Congress to reopen the law and make changes they say are needed to improve farm income and protect the smaller, family farmers.

Madigan will succeed Clayton Yeutter, who was named chairman of the national Republican Party.

by CNB