Washington, D.C. --Questions about the Export Enhancement Program (EEP) were a top priority for Sixth District Congressman Frank Lucas when he questioned Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman during his testimony at a recent House Agriculture Committee hearing on Agriculture Trade in the 21st Century.

"One of the topics of discussion in the coffee shops of wheat country in Oklahoma--as I work my way around the countryside--is discussion about the Export Enhancement Program," Lucas said.

"Could you refresh my memory about how many dollars and resources were available for EEP in this last budget cycle and how many dollars we used?" Lucas questioned. "And then, looking forward, remind me what the President's request was for this year's budget and the circumstances you might envision using those dollars."

Secretary Glickman and his Chief Economist Keith Collins informed Congressman Lucas and the rest of the Agriculture Committee that last year's budget was about $100 million, with none of those dollars being spent. This year the Agriculture Secretary has asked for authority in the budget for $500 million, which is the full amount that the farm bill allows.

"EEP is a targeted program providing subsidies or bonuses to U.S. exporters enabling them to compete against the subsidy practices of other nations," Lucas said. "The Secretary informed the committee that because the decision to use EEP is very much a function of market conditions, and because wheat has lingered around the approximate target price under the farm bill in the past, EEP was not needed.

"I guess the bottom line is--and I tend to agree with my constituents who believe that the price in recent months has not reflected the trends within stocks--I would like the assurance that we are prepared to use the EEP to its fullest in the coming year," Lucas probed.

"The answer to that is yes," Secretary Glickman responded. AAnd that's why we've asked for the full authority under the law to have a reserve"

"Thank you, Mr. Secretary," Lucas concluded.