Peterson Introduces Comprehensive Agriculture Disaster Bill

(Washington, DC) -Today, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson introduced a comprehensive bill to provide resources and relief to rural and agricultural communities that have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina and other disasters this year.

“In response to the extraordinary damage done by Hurricane Katrina, the needs for food and farm assistance are unprecedented," Peterson said. "We need to be sure that government agencies are authorized to respond to the immediate and long term needs of those impacted by this and other disasters.”

Peterson's proposal would enhance and extend the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) authority to assist families displaced by Hurricane Katrina with disaster food stamps and other food aid. It also provides for crop and livestock loss assistance, emergency conservation programs and other measures to address the agricultural disaster.

“The crop loss provision of the disaster bill will cover losses in certain areas in my district, especially the northwest corner of the state where agriculture disaster has been declared,” Peterson added.

The legislation also highlights the need for a permanent standing food and farm disaster authority that would assure affected communities that emergency government assistance will be available when it's needed.

“When a disaster like Hurricane Katrina, floods, or droughts hit, the response needs to be fast and effective,” Congressman Peterson said. “We need to have a plan in place that looks at short and long term needs to help rural and agricultural communities recover from disasters.”

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