Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 5/5/20

Now that the Senate is back in session, Congress will soon negotiate another potentially massive coronavirus response measure.

In the meantime, lawmakers are putting their farm rescue ideas down on paper. Here’s a roundup of the latest proposals:

The Senate Chicken Caucus released a letter to Perdue asking him to keep chicken farmers in mind as USDA prepares to distribute direct payments across the farm sector. The plan includes $9.6 billion in aid to livestock producers, but it’s divided among cattle, hog and dairy farmers.

“Chicken farmers across the country have been forced to depopulate millions of healthy birds in response to substantial reductions in processing capacity,” the senators wrote.

Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) wants USDA to change its definition of “fresh produce” to ensure that fresh-frozen wild blueberries qualify under the department’s relief package, the AP reports. He’s also seeking aid for the state’s potato industry.

And a group of House Democrats today laid out dozens of policy ideas for consideration in the next stimulus package, with a focus on small farmers, organic producers and those who sell to local food systems like farmers markets. “This vital and growing part of the economy is too often ignored and receives too little support even though it is very important in so many of our communities,” wrote Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and 24 other members in a letter to House leaders, which was shared with MA.