FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 23, 2007

Contact:  Sandy Courtnage

MFU President to Promote Food Safety & Food Security at Nation’s Capitol

GREAT FALLS, MT (July 23, 2007) – Montana Farmers Union President Alan Merrill will be in Washington, D.C. July 24-26, 2007, to visit with lawmakers as the U.S. Ag Committee’s 2007 Farm Bill goes to the U.S. House for floor debate.

“The Farmers Union family has worked hard for many of the reforms and improvements that now exist in the bill,” said MFU President Alan Merrill.  “We are proud of the effort of our national office and will work to make sure these measures remain in the bill.”

Farm Bill highlights supported by Farmers Union include:

• The continuation of a safety net and counter-cyclical program for farmers when prices decline;

• The interstate shipment of state-inspected meat and poultry products allowed;

• Increased assistance for fruits and vegetables, conservation, food and nutrition program as well as investment in rural economic development; and

• A workable compromise on how to implement country-of-origin labeling (COOL).

“We are encouraged by the atmosphere of compromise on COOL, which is strongly supported by producers and consumers,” said Merrill.  “Farmers Union has been a leader for labeling since the early 1990s, and we will work to make sure the agreement is not weakened.”

Finally, Merrill noted, Farmers Union has been a strong advocate for a permanent disaster aid program, and will continue its support of that issue this week and in the U.S. Senate.

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MEDIA:  Alan Merrill can be reached for additional comment at 406-581-1494.