Brasília, 4/15/2004 (Agência Brasil) - Representatives of the Brazilian agrobusiness sector gave minister of Agriculture, Roberto Rodrigues, their proposal for a 2004/2005 Farm Bill. The farmers want access to credit totalling US$ 19.4 billion (R$ 56.2 billion) to cover their expenses (custeio) and commercialization charges. The proposal is for loans with interest of 8.75%. According to the Confederation of Agriculture, the government released US$ 11.2 billion (R$ 32,5 billion) during the last harvest.

Rodrigues declared that the only way to get that much money is by going to sources outside the government. Farmer representatives say banks could use Worker Assistance Fund monies.

Translator:Allen Bennett