The Committee does not argue that there will be no additional costs resulting from the quarterly adjustments but it contends that the Department of Agriculture cannot project additional annual expenditures (approximately $60 million) as suggested in its report.

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

In compliance with subsection (4) of rule XXIX of the Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman) :

AGRICULTURAL ACT OF 1949

AN ACT To stabilize prices of agricultural commodities

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Agricultural Act of 1949."

SEC. 201. The Secretary is authorized and directed to make available (without regard to the provisions of title III) price support to producers for tung nuts, honey, and milk as follows:

(c) The price of milk shall be supported at such level not in excess of 90 per centum nor less than 75 per centum of the parity price therefor as the Secretary determines necessary in order to assure an adequate supply of pure and wholesome milk to meet curent needs, reflect changes in the cost of production, and assure a level of farm income adequate to maintain productive capacity sufficient to meet anticipated future needs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, effective for the period beginning with the date of enactment of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 and ending on March 31, 1975, the price of milk shall be supported at not less than 80 per centum of the parity price therefor. Such price support shall be provided through purchases of milk and the products of milk.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, effective for the period beginning with the date of enactment of this subsection and ending on March 31, 1979, the support price of milk shall be adjusted by the Secretary at the beginning of each quarter to reflect any estimated change during the immediately preceding quarter in the index of prices paid by farmers for production items, interest, taxes, and wage rates. Such support prices shall be announced by the Secretary not later than thirty days prior to the beginning of each quarter.

S.R. 388

SEPTEMBER 24 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 11), 1975.-Ordered to be printed

Mr. HRUSKA, from the Committee on the Judiciary,
submitted the following

REPORT

[To accompany S.J. Res. 90]

The Committee on the Judiciary, to which was referred the resolution (S.J. Res. 90), to authorize the President of the United States to designate "National Ski Week," having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with amendments and recommends that the resolution as amended be agreed to.

AMENDMENTS

On page 1, line 4, strike the word "annually".

On page 1, line 6, strike the words "of every year" and insert in lieu thereof "1976,".

PURPOSE OF AMENDMENTS

The purpose of the amendments is to limit the proclamation to the year of 1976 only.

PURPOSE OF THE RESOLUTION AS AMENDED

The purpose of the resolution as amended is to authorize the President of the United States to designate the week beginning on the first Saturday after the first Tuesday in January 1976, as "National Ski Week."

STATEMENT

Snow skiing is fast becoming one of America's most popular sports. It not only provides millions of Americans an exhilarating physical challenge, but it affords them the opportunity to enjoy the wonder and beauty of this great land. Skiing contributes to our vitality and well-being as a nation by helping many Americans to maintain a high standard of physical development.

に

The Departments of Agriculture and Interior are to be commended for the important role they are playing in developing alpine and cross-country skiing opportunities. Lands managed by these Departments represent an almost unlimited resource for people to pursue this invigorating sport. Approximately 200 alpine ski areas, including Taos Ski Valley and Santa Fe Ski Basin in New Mexico, currently exist under permits issued by the U.S. Forest Service enabling Americans to experience the thrill and excitement of downhill skiing.

The Committee is of the opinion that this resolution has a meritorious purpose and accordingly recommends favorable consideration of Senate Joint Resolution 90 with amendments.

SEPTEMBER 25, (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 11), 1975.-Ordered to be printed

Mr. HUDDLESTON, from the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, submitted the following

REPORT

[To accompany S. Res. 216]

The Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, to which was referred the resolution (S. Res. 216) requesting the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a plan for the eradication of brucellosis, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the resolution do pass.

SHORT EXPLANATION

This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Agriculture should within 90 days (1) formulate and submit to the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry a plan for the complete eradication of the animal disease brucellosis over a five-year period, and (2) provide at the same time a feasibility study of the plan and the estimated cost of the plan.

THE NEED FOR AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM

Brucellosis is a serious animal disease that is especially troublesome. Annually farmers and ranchers suffer direct losses due to brucellosis of approximately $12 million. These losses occur despite large Federal and State expenditures to control brucellosis.

In addition to the direct costs from animal losses and control measures, the cattle industry suffers indirect costs due to the quarantines, and resulting embargoes of cattle from infected areas. While no dollar amount has been established for such market interruptions, there were over 9,000 herds representing over 1.7 million cattle under quarantine as of May 31, 1975. This puts severe economic pressure on the quarantined producers; it often taints the products of neighboring produc

ers; and it results in significant interruption of supply that can result in higher costs for consumers.

Brucellosis is generally more prevalent in the southern parts of the country. Nearly 90 percent of the quarantined herds are in ten Southern and Southwestern States, with about one-third of all quarantined herds being in Texas. However, no region is safe from brucellosis outbreaks. This was demonstrated by the recent outbreak in Vermont which is causing economic distress for dairy producers, who represent the State's largest agricultural enterprise.

As long as brucellosis exists, there are both danger of outbreaks and the need for expensive control programs. Even though the total cost of control and losses in fiscal year 1975 reached some $65 million, such amount is considerably less than the estimated $300 million a year in animal losses that would result if the control program was terminated. In addition, the animal losses would probably result in higher consumer prices.

However, there is a widespread belief that brucellosis couldthrough a coordinated effort-be eradicated within five years. Such a program would result in a higher amount of expenditures during the five-year eradication period; however, if eradication can be achieved. it would save taxpayers, producers, and consumers many times this amount in future years.

Immediate action is called for inasmuch as each passing day results in additional costs that can never be recovered. The sooner the eradication of brucellosis is achieved, the sooner the benefits will accrue to producers and consumers.

Therefore, the Committee calls on the Secretary of Agriculture to take steps immediately to formulate a plan for the total eradication of brucellosis over a five-year period, to submit this plan to the Congress within ninety days, and to assess fully the feasibility and the costs of such a plan.

S.R. 399