Graves seeks faster, fairer relief for nation’s agricultural producers

U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) last week joined more than 120 members of Congress in requesting that President Donald Trump ensure equitable and adequate COVID-19 relief for the nation’s farmers, ranchers, and livestock and dairy producers.

Rep. Graves and his colleagues requested that producers receive effective and immediate relief as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) begins a rulemaking process to implement related funding relief in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, according to an April 24 letter the lawmakers sent to the president. Leading the letter were House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA).

“In the case of cattle alone, losses have soared to over $13.6 billion since January while available relief under the package is $5.1 billion,” wrote the congressmen. “This gap between losses and relief is true across the entire spectrum of agricultural producers, including specialty and row crop farmers, dairymen and pork and other livestock producers.”

Rep. Graves in a separate statement also pointed out that last year’s flooding and trade negotiations, combined with the coronavirus and the resulting supply chain issues, “really put the squeeze on our producers.”

“We’ve got to make sure they are able to fully take advantage of the assistance that Congress has passed,” said Rep. Graves. “Agriculture is the lifeblood of north Missouri and ensuring that our farmers and ranchers are able to stay in business is critical.”

The USDA on April 17 announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) as part of its plan to implement funding provided by the CARES Act. While the CFAP includes $2.1 billion for direct payments to specialty crop producers and at least $100 million per month in specialty crop purchases, the direct payments are contingent on payment limits that do not take into account the cost of agricultural labor for many crops, including specialty crops.

According to the CFAP summary released by USDA, producers will be eligible for no more than $125,000 per commodity, with an overall limit of $250,000 per individual or entity.

“This limitation would severely restrict the program’s effectiveness for many family-owned farms and ranches across the nation,” wrote Rep. Graves and his colleagues. “We strongly urge you to eliminate payment limits for livestock, dairy and specialty crop producers before the final CFAP program details are announced.”

The lawmakers requested that the USDA include all producers in its forthcoming rulemaking and urged against limiting payments based on income, risk management practices or past USDA payments, according to their letter.