Washington, DC - Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-19) voted for the Agriculture Disaster Assistance Act (HR 6233), which provides supplemental funding for agricultural disaster aid.

“The 2008 farm bill had livestock programs expire in 2011, thus those farmers are not in any insurance or other protection program at this time,” Shimkus explained.  “This bill continues the Livestock Indemnity Program for 2012 and 2013, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, and several other programs.”

All of these programs contain $100,000 per person or legal entity limits and also include income limitations.  The program extensions are being funded through a reduction in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in fiscal year 2013 and by limiting acreage in the Conservation Stewardship Program.

“I recently visited a farm in Clinton County and will again visit farms in deep Southern Illinois on Monday to see firsthand how this drought is affecting grain farmers and livestock producers,” Shimkus noted.

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