WASHINGTON, DC – John Boyd, founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA), is calling for changes in the proposed tobacco buyout making its way through Congress.

The NBFA supports the tobacco buyout concept but is requesting that Congress create a $10 million program for minority farmer outreach to help ensure these farmers can turn their tobacco businesses into profitable farming businesses growing other crops.

Boyd, a fourth generation tobacco farmer from Mecklenburg County, Virginia, is a former member of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification Commission.

Background
The house passed H.R. 4520 the American Jobs creation Act of 2004. The tobacco buyout is part of this bill. The $9.6 billion allocated to this effort would be paid out from fiscal years 2005-2009, to active growers as well as quota holders. The Tobacco quota system was put in place in the 1930’s, many black farmers contributed to this system many were sharecroppers and former slaves. Tobacco quotas have been cut dramatically over the past several years leaving farmers with huge debts and less money to pay off their debts. Today there are roughly 1,000 active black tobacco farmers in six states. In total some 9,247 Black tobacco growers and quota holders will receive 157 million dollars under the proposed plan.

Immediate Action Is Needed
President Bush, in a recent Ohio gathering, said he would not support a tobacco buyout. “These farmers need our support and we have a chance to give them the relief they deserve,” said Boyd. “The President should not play politics with the lives of our nations hard working Tobacco farmers. Farmers should remember his remarks this November.”

“We have to take aggressive action to help ensure black tobacco growers stay on their farms,” said Boyd. “We are calling on congress to include $10 million for technical assistance and outreach so that they can diversify their farming operations."