UNDER NEW LAW, FARMERS MAY RECEIVE DISASTER RELIEF FOR ALL LOSSES SUFFERED IN 2007

TOPEKA, KS – Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District) announced today that Kansas farmers and ranchers who suffered crop, feed, and livestock losses in federally declared disaster areas in 2007 may be eligible for new assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

"A whole lot of folks suffered damage to their crops and livestock as a result of Kansas weather last year," Rep. Boyda said. "With this new disaster aid, Congress is extending a helping hand."

Under previous federal law, disaster relief for 2007 was limited to crops planted before February 28, 2007, and livestock losses occurring before that date. The 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill that passed Congress in December extended crop and livestock disaster payments for all 2007 losses.

Farmers and ranchers with losses between February 28, 2007 and December 31, 2007 may now apply to their county Farm Service Agency office for quantity losses under the Crop Disaster Program. The FSA is also currently issuing payments for losses incurred in 2007 prior to February 28 under the Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).

The Dairy Disaster Assistance Payment (DDAP-III) Program, which provides benefits to eligible dairy producers for production losses suffered as a result of natural disasters, has also been extended to cover any 2007 disaster occurring before December 31, 2007.

More information about CDP, LCP and LIP is available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.