Crop and Livestock disaster relief programs expired in Fall of 2011 !!!
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today led the entire Iowa delegation in introducing legislation to extend agriculture disaster programs that were created in the last farm bill through 2012. The Loebsack authored Agriculture Disaster Assistance Act will help farmers and livestock producers with drought losses beyond insurance until a new farm bill is signed into law. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) has introduced similar legislation in the Senate.
"I have seen firsthand the damage this drought has already caused to crops and livestock. With no end in sight to the current conditions, we must move quickly to ensure farmers and producers in Iowa and across the country who are struggling have access to a safety net.
"I am pleased the rest of the Iowa delegation joined me in introducing this legislation and hope they join me in calling on House leadership to quickly bring up and pass it. Until a new farm bill is passed and signed into law our farmers and producers need to know that they are not in this alone and that 2012 won`t be the year that sinks their farm."
Specifically, the Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act will extend the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE), Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), Livestock Disaster Forage Program (LFP), Tree Assistance Program (TAP), and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) temporarily through 2012.
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