Veneman Outlines Drought Relief Efforts

USDA Secretary Ann Veneman Sept. 17  addressed the impact of drought on farmers and ranchers livelihood.  She also outlined steps the administration has taken to provide relief to drought victims.

“This administration supports helping drought affected farmers and ranchers who are most in need, particularly our livestock producers who do not have the same risk management tools as available to crop farmers to protect them during these difficult times,” Veneman said.  “While the Congress has not developed a disaster assistance package for the President to consider, we are utilizing every available tool and every program within our existing authorities to help those farmers and ranchers in need.”

For example, on Aug. 12, Veneman authorized a $150 million feed assistance program to help cow-calf operators in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

On Sept. 9, Veneman authorized emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres nationally to provide relief for farmers and ranchers.  Previously, the program was limited to 18 states.

USDA has provided over $50 million in Emergency Conservation Program funds to help producers rehabilitate farmlands damaged by natural disasters. 

USDA has worked with states to expedite the approval process for declaring emergency disaster areas so that farmers can receive low-interest loans.

Veneman announced this week the allocation of $10 million for EQIP funds to states severely affected by drought.  

The Federal Crop Insurance Program will likely issue over $4.0 billion in indemnity payments for 2002 as compared to an average of $1.5 billion for the 1990s.

The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program provides financial assistance to eligible producers affected by natural disasters.