WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) will sign on to a legislative proposal offered with her colleague from Arkansas, Rep. Marion Berry, that would authorize agricultural relief for producers adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina, severe drought conditions and other natural disasters.
 
The Agriculture Assistance Act of 2005 would provide farmers with relief above and beyond any funding the state would receive from a federal disaster declaration.  The legislation would give eligible farmers the choice of either an additional half-payment above the amount they received in 2005 direct payments under the Farm Bill or a payment based on yield loss.

 

“There is no question that we must provide stronger support for our nation’s producers.
Hurricane Katrina added to an already difficult year for the U.S. farm economy.  We have had multiple disasters throughout the region, and this legislation would be a great assistance to drought-stricken farmers and ranchers in Southern Missouri and hurricane-hit producers throughout the Gulf Coast.  In addition, the hurricane has raised costs of transportation for producers in many states who rely on trucks and barges to get their products to market.  It is an important effort to provide meaningful relief,” Emerson said.

 

The Agriculture Assistance Act of 2005 will include supplemental payments for eligible
producers of covered commodities, livestock assistance, fruits and vegetables assistance, cottonseed assistance, and additional hurricane relief.

 

"Our farmers suffered unbelievable blows this year that compare only to the tough economic conditions of the 1980's," Berry said. "They faced a terrible drought, skyrocketing fuel prices, extremely low crop prices, and now they must deal with the worst hurricane to ever hit the United States. We cannot expect our agriculture community to overcome such conditions alone. I think its time the federal government stepped in to help our farmers through this difficult time."