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FY2007 Agriculture Appropriations Bill Update

	April 26, 2006 Letter of support for MAP & FMD funding To House Ag Appropriators
	March 13, 2006 National Barley Improvement Committee’s federal barley research funding priorities
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April 26, 2006
Support a strong, national crop insurance program that ensures that all producers can obtain affordable coverage

Testimony to Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management - U.S. House of Representatives

September 8, 2005 -- Agriculture Disaster Package Proposed

Congress Daily reported today that Senate Agriculture Chairman Chambliss (GA) expects a comprehensive agriculture disaster section to be included in future Hurricane Katrina supplemental appropriations bills.  Crops mentioned for coverage included sugar cane and dairy losses in the South, Midwest drought losses, fruit & vegetable losses in Florida, and tornado damage poultry operations in Georgia. 

The Senate was expected to take up the agricultural appropriations bill (H.R. 2744) next week.  At this time a date has not been set, and some are speculating that Katrina losses may delay consideration.

March 14, 2005 -- USDA ANNOUNCES SIGN-UP FOR CROP DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2005-- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that eligible producers may sign-up for the Crop Disaster Program (CDP) beginning March 14 at their local USDA Service Center. The CDP authorizes crop loss assistance for producers who suffered 2003 or 2004 and certain 2005 crop losses from damaging weather.

"We are pleased to be able to provide these benefits to producers as quickly as possible," Johanns said. "Drought, floods and hurricanes are unpredictable weather events that put farmers and ranchers at risk in producing a dependable and affordable national food supply."

Eligibility for CDP is similar to that of the 2001-2002 crop disaster program. Producers suffering a greater than 35-percent production loss and/or more than a 20-percent quality loss are eligible. The payment rate for CDP has been increased to 65 percent of the established commodity price for insured crops and noninsured crops, and 60 percent of the price for uninsured commodities. Previous disaster assistance provided payments of 50 percent of the established commodity price for insured and non-insurable crops and 45 percent for uninsured crops.

Producers may apply for CDP for any crops that are eligible for coverage under the Federal Crop Insurance or the Noninsured Assistance Program. This program results from Congressional passage last October of the Military Construction Appropriations and Emergency Hurricane Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2005 (the Act).

Under the Act, $50 million is available for 2003 crop losses in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Eligible losses are those resulting from hurricanes, tropical storms and other weather-related disasters that occurred during calendar year 2003. There is an additional $3 million for fruit and vegetable losses occurring in North Carolina during the 2003 calendar year as a result of tropical storms and other disasters. North Carolina fruit and vegetable and Virginia CDP participants are also eligible to apply for CDP payment on 2004 or 2005 crop losses.

The payment limit is $80,000 per person for all 2003/2004/2005 CDP payments, as well as for North Carolina and Virginia CDP payments for 2003 losses. The closing date for this sign-up will be announced later.

As part of the CDP implementation process, USDA has prepared a fact sheet that contains information about the disaster assistance programs. For more information on these issues, visit USDA's website at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov/
 

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