|
Source: USDA, 9/21/20
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency
(RMA) today announced it is seeking public comments on recommended improvements
to the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Program
by November 5, 2020. RMA contracted for an independent evaluation of the PRF
program to determine its effectiveness as a risk management tool for livestock
producers.“We want to be sure that the recommendations RMA implements are good for the industry and good for livestock producers,” said RMA Administrator Martin Barbre. “We are always looking for feedback and making adjustments to ensure that our insurance products protect producers and help them manage their risk, including lack of rainfall, and protect the integrity of the program.” In addition to the PRF program, the recommendations could be
applied to other Rainfall Index programs such as Apiculture and Annual Forage,
therefore RMA recommends that all interested parties submit comments by
November 5, 2020. RMA will review all comments and determine what recommendations
should be implemented for the 2022 crop year. The independent evaluation includes several recommendations,
including:
- Adjusting
the County Base Value (CBV) productivity range;
- Better
targeting of indemnities;
- Focusing
PRF on viable forage production areas;
- Focusing
coverage on risk-reducing intervals;
- Taking
an alternative approach to reducing frequent shallow losses; and
- Modifying
the CBV.
Details on the recommendations are published in a report available
on the RMA website for public review
and comment. Comments can be submitted via email to rma.kcviri@usda.gov or
by mail to Director, Product Administration and Standards Division, Risk
Management Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 419205,
Kansas City, MO 64133-6205. RMA is authorizing additional flexibilities due to coronavirus
while continuing to support producers, working through Approved Insurance
Providers (AIPs) to deliver services, including processing policies, claims and
agreements. RMA staff are working with AIPs and other customers by phone, mail
and electronically to continue supporting crop insurance coverage for
producers. Farmers with crop insurance questions or needs should continue to
contact their insurance agents about conducting business remotely (by telephone
or email). More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private
insurance agents. A list of insurance agents is available online using the
RMA Agent Locator. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net
at rma.usda.gov.
|