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BISHOP SUPPORTS DROUGHT RELIEF TO GEORGIA FARMERS

August 2, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) supported H.R. 6233, the Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act, which would authorize assistance to farmers affected by drought, wildfires, and other natural disasters that occurred in fiscal year 2012.

“In light of the recent record-breaking drought in Southwest Georgia this measure is vitally important to Georgia’s farmers and agricultural community,” said Congressman Bishop. “While I am concerned that the legislation makes significant reductions to much-needed conservation programs, the measure will provide much-needed relief for these farmers while Congress pushes for the passage of a fair and comprehensive Farm Bill.”

The Disaster Assistance bill reauthorizes and modifies several disaster assistance programs that ended on October 1, 2011 including the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); Livestock Indemnity Payments (LIP); Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Producers would receive assistance for losses that are incurred from October 1, 2011 up to September 30, 2012.

The $383 million cost of reauthorizing these four disaster assistance programs is offset by cutting $639 million in conservation programs over the next 10 years. As a result, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill would reduce the deficit by $256 million over the next decade.

The measure was approved by the United States House of Representatives by a vote of 223 to 197.