WASHINGTON, DC – USA Rice Farmers Chair Nicole Montna Van Vleck sent letters to Congress last week expressing rice farmers’ need for disaster assistance.
From hurricanes in the gulf last year to the ongoing drought in the west and recent floods throughout the midsouth, rice farmers in every rice growing region in the United States have been dealt a blow due to natural disasters, all while also dealing with a trade war and global pandemic.
“[USA Rice Farmers] are asking for an extension of Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) disaster aid or similarly designed program,” said the letter. “This program worked well for rice farmers who experienced damages in 2017, 2018 and 2019, and we believe it should be extended for the 2020 and 2021 crop years.”
The letter continues, “Specifically, as Congress considers future appropriations measures, we ask that hurricanes, flood, freeze, drought, and other natural disasters be added to any supplemental disaster appropriations/spending packages. We also ask that producers who experienced losses of rice stored in grain bins be covered similar to past on farm storage payments in 2018 and 2019. Should Congress consider a more comprehensive standing disaster program, we would hope these same concerns are addressed.”
Letters were sent to the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees and Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, as well as all Members of Congress who represent rice-producing districts. Find a copy of one of the letters sent here (please note, all letters included the same ask).