U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) last week requested increased federal protections for Washington State wheat growers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Specifically, Rep. McMorris Rodgers and Rep. Newhouse sent a June 5 letter to Richard Fordyce, administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), asking that three classes of wheat — soft white, hard red winter and soft red winter wheat — be included for coverage under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).
“These classes of wheat, like so many other commodities, have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and need assistance under this program,” the members wrote.
The FSA is currently taking comments on whether to add commodities for coverage under CFAP, which was authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act relief package to provide direct relief to farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus.
Reps. Newhouse and McMorris Rodgers pointed out that the pandemic created price volatility during January to April when the market for soft white wheat declined more than 8.5 percent, with fluctuating prices on the futures contract for the other wheat commodities also occurring during the same timeframe, according to their letter.
“This market volatility caused by COVID-19 is putting wheat growers in our districts under increased pressure after years of already dire conditions in the wheat market. Support is badly needed,” wrote the lawmakers.