House passes Rep. Jerry McNerney drought relief amendment

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously approved an amendment written by
Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, allowing farmers and ranchers affected by the drought to receive
federal funds to repair damaged farmland or install measures for water conservation.
The amendment is intended to provide $11 million for the Farm Service Agency’s Emergency
Conservation Program.
“With California in a severe and sustained drought, we need to act now to help our farmers and
ranchers,” McNerney said. “My amendment will make sure the ECP is available for those who need it.
I’m glad a bipartisan group of my House colleagues approved this plan, and I will work to get the
funding included in the final Agriculture Bill that will be passed by the House and Senate.”
California has more than 80,000 farms and ranches, accounting for 15 percent of national receipts for
crops and 7.1 percent of the U.S. revenue for livestock and livestock products. State exports in 2013
totaled approximately $18 billion in value

By News-Sentinel Staff Writer | Posted: Friday, June 13, 2014 11:05 pm