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Congresswoman Angie Craig Pushes USDA To Stand With Family Farmers During COVID-19 Pandemic

April 29, 2020

In The Wake Of Processing Plants Closing, Minnesota Farmers, Producers Need Support Now More Than Ever

Yesterday U.S. Representative Angie Craig spoke with the United States Department of Agriculture Secretary, Sonny Perdue and Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Greg Ibach. During those conversations, she pushed for urgent relief for the livestock farmers in the wake of COVID-19.

"I've been talking to farmers throughout the Second Congressional District about the ongoing challenges facing our family farmers," said Rep. Craig. "We must put partisan differences aside to protect our domestic livestock producers and get to work providing real relief for our family farmers. I recognize that we may need to appropriate additional funding for USDA so they can provide direct payments to our producers and have the means to protect our natural resources. I look forward to working with the USDA and Governor Walz to keep food products moving safely through our processing facilities. All of this must be done while keeping hard-working Minnesotans safe with testing and the proper protective equipment."

Rep. Craig supported relief for farmers in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. The CARES Act provided $9.5 billion for financial support to farmers and ranchers impacted by COVID-19. Additionally, the Commodity Credit Corporation was replenished with $14 billion. The CCC bolsters commodity and income support programs, natural resources conservation programs, disaster assistance programs and most recently the Market Facilitation Program.

Rep. Angie Craig is a Member of the House Agriculture Committee and serves on the Subcommittee for Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.