NFU Reacts To USDA Assistance Plan

On Tuesday, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the USDA will take several actions to help farmers negatively impacted by retaliatory tariffs.  Specifically, USDA will authorize up to $12 billion in programs, which is in line with the estimated $11 billion impact of the unjustified retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods.  These programs will assist agricultural producers to meet the costs of disrupted markets.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson said with the President’s escalating trade war, the U.S. must go to significant lengths to protect the men and women who grow our food, fuel and fiber.

“Their livelihoods are on the line with every tweet, threat or tariff action that comes from the White House. Market prices for farm products are plunging from already very low levels, and it’s been estimated that farmers lost more than $13 billion last month alone due to trade disruptions.”

Johnson went on to say while the NFU appreciates the move to provide stopgap assistance, the plan announced by the administration is a short-term fix to a long-term problem.

“The administration must develop a support mechanism that will mitigate the significant damage that is being inflicted upon our most vital international markets for years to come. They should do this by working with Congress to ensure farm bill programs provide enough assistance to farmers when markets collapse.”

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com