Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven and Congressman Andy Harris have called on Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to revise the policies affecting disaster relief for agriculture producers impacted in 2022. Both legislators, serving as ranking member and chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Committees in the Senate and House respectively, highlighted their efforts to secure over $3.7 billion in funding to aid farmers and ranchers recovering from natural disasters.

The lawmakers expressed concern that recent changes made by the USDA to the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) 2022 do not align with Congressional intent. They emphasized that "farmers and ranchers faced a myriad of weather-related challenges in 2022," citing wildfires, hurricanes, droughts, and other natural disasters that resulted in significant losses.

Hoeven and Harris criticized specific modifications, including limiting crop insurance premium reimbursements to a select group of producers. They stated, "Congress intended for all producers to receive a premium reimbursement, which is clear from a plain reading of the statute." The letter also addressed concerns about the application of a 'progressive' payment factor, describing it as inconsistent with Congressional intent.

"This is unacceptable and well outside of our expectations for program administration," they wrote. They warned that if these provisions remain unchanged, they will undermine ERP's effectiveness at a critical time for producers.

The full text of their letter can be accessed through available channels.