News USDA Announces Further Trade Relief

USDA Announces Further Trade Relief

USDA Announces Further Trade Relief
June 7, 2019 |

Relief is on the way for farmers negatively impacted by trade disruption and retaliatory tariffs.

President Donald J. Trump renewed his commitment to farmers during a May 23 press briefing at the White House.

“On every front, we are fighting for our great farmers, our ranchers, our growers,” said Trump, flanked by farm leaders including Alabama’s Mike Tate of Madison County, who is National Cotton Council chairman, and American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, a Georgia farmer.

The relief strategy will support American producers while the administration works on free, fair and reciprocal trade deals to open more markets and help American farmers compete globally. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide up to $16 billion in programs, which is in line with the estimated impacts of unjustified retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods and other trade disruptions.

The Market Facilitation Program will provide $14.5 billion in three phases of direct payments to producers. Payments will begin in late July or early August — as soon as practical after Farm Service Agency crop reporting is completed by July 15. If conditions warrant, second and third payments will be made in November and early January.

The Food Purchase and Distribution Program allots $1.4 billion to purchase surplus commodities affected by trade retaliation, such as fruits, vegetables, some processed foods, beef, pork, lamb, poultry and milk for distribution by the Food and Nutrition Service.

The Agricultural Trade Promotion Program will use $100 million to develop new export markets on behalf of producers.

Eligibility and payment rate details will be released at a later date.

View Related Articles