FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 1996
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC -- “Regulations implementing the 1996 Farm Bill are currently being developed, and one new provision is of particular interest to dairy and livestock producers in the 7th District,” according to Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District).
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP, combines the functions of four conservation programs and is intended to maximize environmental benefits per dollar expended.
“The part of this program that could be of interest to livestock and dairy farmers in my district makes cost-sharing funds available for the construction of structural animal waste management facilities,” Peterson said. “Operators of large confined livestock operations are not eligible for this cost-sharing program.”
The total amount of the cost-share and incentive payments to one person may not exceed $10,000 per fiscal year, or $50,000 for a multi-year contract.
“There has been some discussion about the limits on the size of operation that should be eligible for the cost-sharing payments,” Peterson continued. “The general intention is to gear this program toward small and mid-size farms - family farms - but the exact limitations have yet to be decided. I believe it is best to keep this program geared toward the family farm.
“The Department of Agriculture is currently working on the proposed rule for EQIP, and it should be released in early July,” Peterson said. “If you have any interest in EQIP, please write my Washington office at 1314 Longworth, Washington, DC, 20515, and we will send you the final rules when completed.”