U.S. Rep. Billy Long (R-MO) on July 30 introduced a bipartisan bill that would provide emergency pandemic relief funds to America’s agricultural fairs.
Rep. Long signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Agricultural Fairs Rescue Act, H.R. 7883, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) to provide grant funding for agricultural fairs through state departments of agriculture that would help them continue to function.
“Fairs play a vital role in U.S. agribusiness by supporting thousands of jobs and giving farmers a way to promote their products,” Rep. Long said. “Our fairs have suffered very substantial, if not devastating, losses due to COVID-19. I am proud to work with my colleague and buddy, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, to introduce legislation that offers critical and strategic relief to a vulnerable industry in dire need or our assistance.”
If enacted, H.R. 7883 would provide $500 million in Agricultural Fair Rescue Grants administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service to states or state departments of agriculture based on losses in revenue and attendance during 2020, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Long’s office.
“Like many institutions,” said Rep. Panetta, “fairs have been impacted by COVID-19, and we must provide them assistance if we are going to preserve these fairs for the future.”
H.R. 7883 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.