Farmers are responding to the USDA’s requirement that personal tax information must be made public. The USDA is trying to assure that government subsidies go to those who meet the financial requirements.
Once the subsidies are dispersed, a form must be filled out. This form includes income and an area that allows the USDA to look at tax records for verification purposes. North Dakota farmers are teaming up to fight this change.
The North Dakota Farmers Union feels that the form crosses the line into an invasion of privacy. Nine Republicans in the House Agriculture Committee asked Tom Vilsack to reconsider the plan.
The federal Farm Service Agency said producers have nothing to worry about as long as they fit the requirements for subsidies.
“Their filed tax returns will never physically be transferred to FSA for review,” said Jonathan Groveman, an agency spokesman in Washington.
The plan was put into effect after $50 million was given to ineligible farmers between 2003 and 2006, farmers are looking for assurance than their information will be secure.
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