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(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Rep. Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced an amendment
which would provide a 30% direct payment for emergency production loss
and economic loss assistance to agricultural producers for losses incurred
during the 2005 production year was added to the Senate Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations legislation during Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee
consideration. If the bill is signed into law, the disaster assistance
would be eligible for losses due to hurricanes, drought, flood, disease
and other weather related causes.
Ross is an original cosponsor of H.R. 5099, House legislation which
is identical to the disaster relief language that was added to the Senate
legislation. Ross added that while this is a lower direct payment
than he hoped for, this legislation has a better opportunity to become
a reality for Arkansas farmers who were devastated during Arkansas’s worst
drought in a half century.
“During the 2005 crop year, Arkansas farmers and ranchers experienced
a severe drought, hurricane damaging winds, and record high production
costs,” said Ross. “This disaster assistance will aid farmers during
these difficult times. Furthermore, this disaster assistance is a
national security issue. We must aid our farmers during this difficult
time to prevent our nation from becoming as dependent on foreign food and
fiber as we are on foreign oil. I am committed to ensuring our farm
families are provided with the tools and resources necessary to continue
producing a safe and reliable source of food and fiber.”
Ross cautioned this legislation must be agreed to by the full Senate
and the joint House and Senate Conference Committee before President Bush
can sign the legislation into law. |
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