Roberts praised the ability of the industry to work together to stave off cuts to crop insurance that were included in last year’s budget deal noting that agriculture can be a powerful force when it is united. “I’m proud of the way we all stood up and found a solution,” said Roberts. “Working with Chairman [Mike] Conaway in the House and what was nearly the entire agriculture industry, we were able to fix a shortsighted legislative cut to crop insurance.”
Roberts warned that more teamwork would be needed in the days ahead “as critics continue to attack this important risk management tool.”
Additionally, he encouraged crop insurers to double their outreach and education efforts stating that not all lawmakers in Washington understand farm policy. “My challenge is to find more allies, leave no stone unturned,” said Roberts. “We have to increase the number of voices defending crop insurance both inside the Congress and out in the countryside.”