U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) last week requested U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack disclose why there have been payment delays for Iowa hog producers through the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP).
“On Monday, I requested answers from @SecVilsack over payment delays for Iowa hog producers through the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program,” Rep. Feenstra tweeted on July 20. “#IA04 hog producers worked throughout the pandemic to feed our country & they deserve the relief they were promised.”
The SMHPP, which was established to support continued hog operations and maintain a food supply during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been unclear from the start, according to the July 18 letter Rep. Feenstra sent to Sec. Vilsack.
The congressman noted that hog producers have faced issues such as having to submit additional supporting documents after hog eligibility was clarified, and have been left in the dark regarding the timeline of the program.
“When the SMHPP was first announced, producers were told they would be getting a single payment rate of $54 per head. Many producers in my district and the country planned their budgets with this number in mind,” wrote Rep. Feenstra. “Now they are being told that the amount per head is not yet known and that they must wait for a payment factor to be determined.”
Amid such delays, Rep. Feenstra requested that Vilsack answer specific questions, including when producers will know how much per head they will be receiving for this program, and when they can expect their payments.
“It is long past due for producers to be given answers,” the congressman wrote.