Ken Cook Statement on National Black Farmers Association President’s Congressional Subcommittee Testimony

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2007 – Today, Dr. John Boyd, President of the National Black Farmer’s Association, testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Dr. Boyd’s testimony centered on the Pigford Claims Remedy Act which intends to help thousands of African American farmers who were denied entry in the Pigford v. Glickman settlement.

“The EWG will continue to support Dr. Boyd and the NBFA’s efforts to secure justice and equity,” said Environmental Working Group President Ken Cook.

The Pigford settlement followed the filing of a class action lawsuit by minority farmers and claimed that the USDA had discriminated against African American farmers because of their race when applying for farm loans or other forms of assistance.

In 2003, the EWG released the ‘Obstruction of Justice’ report that found that nearly nine out of ten African Americans were denied compensation for the discrimination they experienced in accessing crop loans available to similarly situated white farmers.

The EWG ‘Obstruction of Justice’ report can be found at: https://www.ewg.org/reports/blackfarmers


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The EWG is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment. The group’s farm subsidy database can be found at www.mulchblog.com

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