The American Farm Bureau Federation is asking lawmakers to provide more critical resources to farmers hurt by COVID-19’s impact on the food system. It is also looking for more help for rural communities struggling with the pandemic’s impacts.
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Many of the country’s struggling farmers were left out of the initial round of assistance, while some, who did receive help, are still being hurt by the impact of COVID-19.
As Congress is set to consider additional aid this summer, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall sent a letter to Congressional leadership listing the areas of need.
“The economic losses across the U.S. ag sector are broad-based, directly impacting farmers and ranchers as well as their supply chain partners, from the input providers to end-users,” Duvall says in the letter. “Producers have witnessed their markets shrink overnight or even disappear, while supply chains have been stretched to the limit in response to COVID-19.”
Some of the Farm Bureau’s priorities include extending relief funding for losses incurred after April 15, 2020. It is asking Congress to replenish funding for the Commodity Credit Corporation to $68 billion. The Farm Bureau wants support for biofuel facilities, assistance for independent and contract poultry producers, as well as other requests.
(From the National Association of Farm Broadcasters)