National Farmers Union Reacts to Second Round of MFP Payments

Last week, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the second round of Market Facilitation Program payments will be heading out to farmers in the coming days.  The payments will begin the week before Thanksgiving.  Producers of eligible commodities will now be eligible to get 25% of the total payment expected.  This comes in addition to the 50% these farmers have already received.

Roger Johnson, President of the National Farmers Union said the USDA has taken significant pains to provide support to those affected by the trade war, for which NFU is grateful.  But, he was quick to note, MFP has not been executed well.

“The program has helped farmers in certain counties much more than others, even though those counties have not demonstrated any greater need for assistance. More alarmingly, it has provided significant payouts to millionaires and foreign-owned corporations, at the expense of vulnerable small- and mid-sized operations.”

Johnson added these flaws are well documented and widely recognized, yet USDA has yet to address them.  He continued farmers need more permanent solutions than the current plan can provide.

“Even if and when these trade disputes are resolved, farmers will still be coping with the fallout for years to come. We urge the administration to work with Congress to develop policies that will stabilize agricultural markets and guarantee fair farm prices.”

Earlier this year, President Trump authorized USDA to provide up to $16 billion in aid through various programs, which is in line with the estimated impact of the retaliatory tariffs on American Ag goods and other trade disruptions.

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