Appropriations Package Includes Extension for Disaster Assistance to Farmers Affected by Drought and Freeze December 18, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In October of this year, Congressman Lincoln Davis drafted a letter with the support of the Tennessee Congressional delegation asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support legislation extending the current cut-off date for livestock and crop disaster assistance to December 31, 2007. The extension of that cut-off date was granted in an omnibus appropriations package, which passed the House late last night and is expected to become law.

Previously, under the "U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007" that President Bush signed in to law in May of this year, disaster assistance was available only to those affected before February 28, 2007. The extension announced today will open funds made available under that law for disasters occurring through December 31, 2007. This extension encompasses Tennessee farmers affected by the recent freeze and drought for the first time.

"We can and we must do more for our farmers, who have suffered this year from freeze and drought with no end in sight," said Congressman Lincoln Davis. "This extension is a good first step, and I will continue fighting to make sure Tennessee farmers get all the help that they need and deserve."

Approximately $3 billion in disaster assistance for America's farmers and ranchers was made available in May of this year in the "U.S. Troop Readiness" bill. That Appropriations bill provides funds for a Crop Disaster Program, a Livestock Compensation Program, a Livestock Indemnity Program, an Emergency Conservation Program and a Dairy Disaster Assistance Program. While today's announcement does not provide additional dollars or guarantee funding for Tennessee farmers, they will for the first time have the opportunity to compete for funds made available earlier this year through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.