Ag Disaster Relief Approved by House
WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives tonight, by a vote of 302-120 - enough to override a presidential veto threat, approved $3.5 billion in agricultural disaster assistance for producers affected by devastating weather conditions.
11 May 2007
2 minute read
National Farmers Union President Tom Buis applauded the vote and commended House Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, Appropriations Committee Chairman Obey and Agriculture Committee Chairman Peterson for their steadfast support of rural America.
I would encourage the Senate to take similar action and strongly urge the President to sign the bill into law.
“I am very pleased to see the House overwhelmingly pass disaster assistance for those who have been affected by adverse weather conditions,” Buis said. “Producers from across the countryside have been affected by weather conditions out of their control, leaving many struggling to survive. America’s family farmers and ranchers are the best in the world, but they cannot control the weather.”
The disaster funding assists producers who suffered crop and livestock losses from weather-related disasters during either 2005, 2006 or 2007. Eligibility is based on whether producers carried crop insurance during the selected year. The package provides assistance for farmers who lost 35 percent or more of their crop in one of the covered years and for livestock producers in counties that received a disaster designation during the covered time. The legislation also includes a one month extension of the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program. MILC is a vital tool to assist dairy producers when prices are low.
“The House vote is a positive step forward,” Buis said. “I would encourage the Senate to take similar action and strongly urge the President to sign the bill into law.”
TheCattleSite News Desk
