WASHINGTON, DC – Americans and agricultural producers may be receiving a Christmas gift from the Federal government this week, based on the agreement by the legislative and executive branches to a COVID relief deal.
The relief is part of a larger bill providing funding for the government through the fiscal year 2021 (FY21).
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) explains that the committee received $26 billion in COVID-19 relief for nutrition assistance and agriculture and rural programs.
Half of that funding ($13 billion) is marked for nutrition assistance, while the other half ($13 billion) is provided for agricultural assistance and programs.
For ag programs, the bill directs USDA to invest $11.2 billion for another round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), make payments for WHIP+ losses in 2018 and 2019, make payments to livestock and poultry growers with revenue losses, and improve/maintain animal disease and response capacity.
Also, according to Peterson, the bill provides cash flow assistance to small and mid-sized dairies that have grown over the last seven years by establishing supplemental margin coverage based on the difference between 2019 actual production and Dairy Margin Coverage production history.
The bill will also establish a Federal livestock dealer trust to ensure that livestock producers are paid for their animals and provide $28 million to be distributed as block grants to state departments of agriculture for use to support existing farm stress programs.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)