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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Senate Democrats, setting the stage for a new COVID-19 relief bill, are proposing to spend $8 billion to bolster the food supply chain and to redistribute surplus commodities.
The House is back in session today with plans to focus on must-pass bills this summer, with fewer of the political messaging votes that are often typical for an election year.
Farmers will get some welcome relief starting next month from the market impact of the coronavirus, but it will take a second round of payments to keep many in the black this year, and producers may face similar problems into next year.
Today’s the day farmers can start enrolling for those $16 billion in direct payments USDA is distributing through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
Former Vice President Joe Biden is making President Donald Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis a major campaign focus, and he’s expanded the criticism to include Trump’s management of the disruptions in the food supply.
Former Vice President Joe Biden accuses President Donald Trump of reacting too slowly to the coronavirus-driven market disruptions that have forced farmers to dump milk and plow under crops while people were lining up for help from food banks.
Surrounded by farmer leaders, Secretary Sonny Perdue and daughter Ivanka Trump at the White House on Tuesday, President Donald Trump unveiled the broad outlines of the next coronavirus relief payments for farmers and ranchers.
Commodity groups are applauding USDA for moving forward with the new $16 billion coronavirus relief program. But many groups say the payments won’t be nearly as large as they need to be and are renewing their appeals to Congress for additional funding.
Cattle, dairy and hog producers as well as corn and soybean growers are expected to collect the largest shares of USDA’s $16 billion in coronavirus relief payments, which are designed to compensate for losses in sales or market value between January and April.
Farmers can start enrolling next week for $16 billion in coronavirus relief payments, but the Agriculture Department has decided to prorate the aid to ensure there is enough money to go around, Agri-Pulse has learned.