News Release

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) announced today that eligible farmers and ranchers who suffered livestock, livestock feed, and crop losses that occurred before Dec. 31, 2007, can apply to receive disaster payments beginning today.
 
A new law allows agricultural producers who suffered losses for crops planted before Feb. 28, 2007, or eligible livestock or livestock feed losses between Jan. 1, 2005, and Feb. 28, 2007, to apply for disaster payments under the Crop Disaster Program (CDP), Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).  The law extends CDP, LCP and LIP payments to eligible farmers and ranchers who suffered 2007 crop, livestock and livestock feed losses throughout the 2007 crop year before Dec. 31, 2007.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting applications and making payments for quantity losses before Dec. 31, 2007, under CDP. FSA is currently issuing LCP and LIP payments for losses up to Feb. 28, 2007, and will soon issue payments for losses incurred during the remainder of 2007. FSA will conduct sign-up and begin making payments for quality losses under CDP this spring. More information about CDP, LCP and LIP is available online at: http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov

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 since Jan. 1, 2005, has also been extended by the new law to cover, in addition, any 2007 disaster occurring before Dec. 31, 2007. As a result, DDAP-III sign-up, which began Dec. 3, 2007, was temporarily suspended until automation, policy, procedure, and other administrative items could be updated accordingly. DDAP-III program sign-up will resume on Feb. 4, 2008.

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