WASHINGTON, DC – USA Rice is urging that economic assistance for rice farmers be included as a part of the continuing resolution (CR) that expires December 20 to avert a government shutdown, and issued the following statement over the weekend:
USA Rice adamantly opposes any extension of the 2018 Farm Bill or end-of-year Federal government spending package that excludes meaningful economic assistance for rice farmers. This year, rice farmers across the U.S. are expected to lose more than $400 million as a result of artificially low prices and unchecked production costs. And this isn’t the first year of losses. As we look to 2025, the situation is more grim with even deeper negative margins projected.
The failure of Congress to provide immediate and direct relief for rice farmers given the lack of a new farm bill with an adequate safety net coupled with these extreme losses is irresponsible and short-sighted.
The status quo is unacceptable. The agriculture financial crisis is real. Not only are our farms at stake, but let’s remember, an abundant and sustainable domestic food supply is national security, as well economic security for rural communities. Congress ignores this reality at all our peril.
Congress must play a role in minimizing the damage and loss of farmers given the farm financial crisis to secure the U.S. food supply that will bridge farmers until a new Farm Bill is enacted.