The U.S. Senate last night voted to move forward the $36.5 billion disaster relief legislation without additional support for Florida agriculture. Florida’s agriculture industry suffered a more than $2.5 billion hit due to Hurricane Irma. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam’s statement is below:
“I’m disappointed that the current disaster relief legislation does not include much-needed support for Florida’s agriculture industry, despite strong and unified support by Florida’s congressional delegation. Governor Scott and I were recently in D.C. to advocate on behalf of Florida’s agriculture industry, which is in dire straits.
“While I’m disappointed in the lack of support for Florida agriculture in this current legislation, I’m hopeful that the commitment to an additional emergency funding measure next month comes to fruition, so Florida agriculture can recover.”