The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must take immediate action to support those affected by the wildfires that recently swept through Kansas, says U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and two of his GOP colleagues from the Sunflower State.
“The wildfires burned thousands of acres, destroyed critical fencing and hay supplies, and resulted in substantial livestock losses,” the lawmakers wrote in a Feb. 22 letter sent to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. “These damages have placed extraordinary strain on farmers, ranchers, and rural communities already operating under challenging conditions.”
They expressed appreciation for the resources USDA provides through the Farm Service Agency to assist farmers in recovering from disasters, including the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program, and the Emergency Conservation Program.
“These programs play an essential role in helping farmers and ranchers manage unforeseen and catastrophic events,” wrote Sen. Moran and his colleagues.
They also noted that the USDA provided additional funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and program flexibility to help those in need.
“These changes, including the removal of payment limits for livestock losses and the authorization of payments for animals sold at reduced value due to disaster-related impacts, have significantly enhanced the ability of producers to recover from wildfire devastation,” wrote the lawmakers.