U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today praised an announcement from President Donald Trump that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will distribute a second round of assistance to agricultural producers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) has already distributed one round of direct payments to agricultural producers whose markets have been disrupted or lost due to the pandemic. CFAP 2 will begin September 21 and run through December 11, 2020.
“President Trump’s commitment to a second round of assistance is welcome news for Georgia farmers and the ag community suffering economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Loeffler. “The coronavirus has placed an unprecedented strain on commodity markets, the food supply chain and our producers’ ability to continue operating. It is the latest in a string of misfortunes that have kept the farm economy down for several years. As our farmers weather this storm to keep consumers fed and clothed, I look forward to our continued work with President Trump, USDA Secretary Perdue and my colleagues to ensure our farm families can stay in business.”
Loeffler, a member of the Senate Chicken Caucus who grew up working on her family’s corn and soybean farm, has taken action to assist farmers, cattlemen, producers and the agriculture community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic:
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Helped secure additional flexibility for the CFAP to better serve Georgia’s expansive and diverse agriculture industry;
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Sent a letter asking SBA to extend lending authority to qualified USDA approved banks, who often work closely with rural businesses, and to approve new lenders, including nonbank lenders, to give small businesses more options to access loans;
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Joined 27 senators in sending a letter to President Trump urging him to eliminate payment limits for livestock, dairy and specialty crop producers in the CFAP;
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Asked for additional clarity on the Paycheck Protection Program for farmers;
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Successfully urged the Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud to reschedule a United States Trade Representative field hearing, that was delayed due to COVID-19, to focus on how foreign trade policy, especially the dumping of imported produce into the U.S. market, threatens domestic farmers’ livelihoods;
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Joined letters asking USDA to ensure timely economic relief for cotton farmers, blueberry farmers and cattle producers; and
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Introduced the American Farms, Food Banks and Families Act to create a supply chain administrator at the USDA to help break down barriers and expand domestic market access for American farmers; the American Agriculture First Act to require the federal government to prioritize the purchase of American-grown agriculture commodities from American-owned farms during a national emergency; and the Enforcing Accountability and Transparency in International Trade Act to address China’s continued manipulation of developing country status within the World Trade Organization (WTO) and to level the playing field for America farmers, ranchers and manufacturers.