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Senators ask Vilsack for more drought aid for poultry
Story Date: 8/29/2012
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Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 8/28/12
Five democratic senators from poultry-producing states sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking for more help for the poultry industry the help weather the effects of this summer’s drought, including corn prices predicted to average $7.50 to $8.90 per bushel next year.
“We encourage you to use your existing authority to explore as many options as possible, including reprogramming funds, providing additional loan options, providing compensation for economic losses, enhancing corn supplies, compensating for feed and poultry transportation costs, and a bonus purchase of turkey products in order to assist poultry producers and companies,” the senators wrote. “Additionally, we welcome the opportunity to work with you to modify existing programs, or those likely to be reauthorized, in order to provide you with the authority you need to assist the poultry industry.
“We also recognize that there may be a need to create a temporary emergency disaster program to address the needs of the industry, and would welcome your advice and feedback on the matter,” they urged.
Ethanol
The Senators also asked Vilsack to “continue discussions with EPA Administrator Jackson to explore options for assistance,” in an apparent reference to the possibility of waiving the Renewable Fuel Standard’s ethanol production mandate.
Yesterday, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell became the eighth governor to petitioned EPA to waive the RFS ethanol mandated quota.
So far, the administration has given no indication that it is moving in that direction.
Buy more
Finally, the senators asked Vilsack to work with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to explore the possibility of increasing purchases of poultry through the Department of Defense food purchasing system.
Yesterday, the Defense Logistics Agency announced it is procuring a six-month advanced supply of beef, pork, lamb, chicken and catfish items worth more than $100 million to provide drought relief to the agriculture industry.
USDA response
“USDA and our federal partners are working swiftly to get help to producers with the resources that we have available, but it’s important to note that by allowing the five major disaster programs to expire last year and in not passing comprehensive farm legislation, Congress has limited our ability to provide greater assistance, especially to America’s livestock producers,” a USDA spokesman told Meatingplace in response to the letter. “So President Obama and Secretary Vilsack will continue calling on Congress to pass a comprehensive, multi-year Food, Farm and Jobs Bill that provides certainty for farmers and ranchers.”
Senators signing the letter were: Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Thomas Carper (D-Del.), Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) and Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.).
For more stories, go to http://www.meatingplace.com/.
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