Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mark Dayton and 21 Senate colleagues today called on Congress to create a program of nationwide disaster assistance for farmers by introducing the Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2006. This bipartisan legislation would compensate farmers across the country for eligible losses incurred from hurricanes, drought, flood and other weather related causes in the 2005 crop year.

“2005 was a hard year for farmers across the country – more than half the counties in the nation have received disaster designations,” said Dayton. “Minnesota was hit hard with heavy rains and flooding last year, and those farmers need and deserve assistance from the federal government, just like farmers hit by the hurricanes in the Gulf.”

Northwestern Minnesota was ravaged last year by severe storms and heavy rainfall. Flooding prevented planting in large areas, while existing crops were damaged by excessive rain, hail, and wind. Unfortunately, Congress has repeatedly delayed action to provide this much needed aid to farmers.

Senator Conrad’s emergency spending legislation includes a formula to compensate farmers for crop losses in addition to a livestock compensation program. To account for high energy and fertilizer costs, the bill provides a 30% increase in farm bill program payments. The bill also gives block grants to states to provide assistance for dairy and specialty crops, which are not covered by the farm bill.

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