Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and David G. Valadao (CA-22) introduced the Agriculture Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. The bill provides an additional $14 billion to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist agriculture producers impacted by losses caused by natural disasters in 2023.

"Our farmers and ranchers have been getting hammered with severe weather, significant flooding, smoke damage, and steep prices, which have all led to serious setbacks this season," said Rep. Panetta. "The bipartisan Agriculture Disaster Supplemental Appropriations Act would allow the federal government to provide reasonable assistance as necessary for those in our agricultural industry to recover and continue moving forward. This bill is the least that Congress can do to ensure that the federal government plays its part to help those who help put food on our tables."

"Natural disasters like drought and flooding have caused devastating losses for Central Valley producers over the last two years," said Rep. Valadao. "These extreme weather events negatively affect the security of our nation's food supply, prices for consumers, and jobs throughout our community. My legislation provides USDA with the funding necessary to assist farmers in California and across the country who have been impacted by natural disasters. Producers in the Central Valley have had a difficult and uncertain couple of years, and I'll continue working to ensure they have the resources and support they need to grow the food that feeds the world."

Reps. Panetta and Valadao were joined in introduction by Reps. John Duarte (R-CA), Jim Costa, (D-CA), Vince Fong (R-CA), Jake LaTurner (R-KS), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Darren Soto (D-FL), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Marc Molinaro (R-NY), Mike Thompson (CA-04), and Josh Harder (D-CA).

The legislation is supported by American Farm Bureau, California Farm Bureau, Western Growers Association, National Milk Producers Federation, Milk Producers Council, California Dairies, Inc., Napa Valley Vinters, California Tomato Growers Association, Almond Alliance, and the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California.

"Californians have faced a unique and broad range of disasters across the state in recent years—including floods, drought and wildfires. Unfortunately, only a quarter of the roughly 400 commodities grown in California are covered by a direct crop insurance program, meaning thousands of farmers are unable to access critical risk management tools to recover from disasters. This has led to our reliance on resources such as the Emergency Relief Program, which is currently oversubscribed and underfunded. We are appreciative of the attention and leadership Rep. Valadao, Rep. Panetta and others have shown in addressing this shortfall by introducing this supplemental appropriations bill," said California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass.

"California dairy farm families suffered last year from major storms and flooding that displaced families and their cows while also damaging feed supplies farmers had worked hard to store. We are grateful to Rep. Valadao for consistently championing the needs of California's dairy farmers. His bipartisan agricultural disaster supplemental funding package, cosponsored by Reps. Panetta, Fong, and Costa, will ensure that Central Valley dairy families finally recover what they lost well over a year ago," said Gregg Doud, president and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation

"It has been nearly two years since California growers suffered major losses due to flooding and related natural disasters, which affected many rural communities," said Dave Puglia, President and CEO of Western Growers. "This bipartisan bill ensures sufficient funding and a strong delivery program to finally address all those impacted in 2023. Western Growers supports the Agriculture Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and we urge Congress to pass this bill to deliver relief to our farmers and their communities as soon as possible."

"On behalf of California's almond industry, the Almond Alliance strongly supports the bipartisan Agriculture Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act introduced by Congressman David G. Valadao and Congressman Jimmy Panetta. Farmers across the nation, including our almond growers, faced significant losses in 2023 due to floods, droughts, wildfires, and other natural disasters that threaten the agricultural sector and the economic stability of rural communities, and our nation's food security. This bill provides $14 billion in disaster relief, ensuring farmers can recover and continue feeding domestic and global markets. We urge swift passage of this legislation to protect American agriculture and the communities that depend on it," said Blake Vann, Chairman, Almond Alliance.

"The board of Directors at Milk Producers Council appreciates the bipartisan support of well needed assistance due to substantial losses encountered due to climate variability," said Kevin Abernathy, General Manager, Milk Producers Council.

Background:
In 2023, farmers and producers across the United States experienced significant agricultural losses due to natural disasters including floods, hurricanes, droughts, tornadoes, wildfires, and weather-related pest damages. These disasters have severely affected crop and livestock production and continue to jeopardize our nation's food security and the economic stability of our rural communities.

The Agriculture Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act:
Appropriates $14 billion to the Office of the Secretary for Agriculture for necessary expenses related to 2023 disasters. Includes a $1.5 billion carveout for livestock losses and provides expanded assistance to livestock producers, including relocation of livestock, feed crop losses, and shelter-in-place procedures.

Includes additional provisions modeled after the 2021 Emergency Relief Program and the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022 covering the definition of drought, direct payments to producers, payment limitations, crop insurance requirements, etc. Includes a new provision to ensure payments are administered simultaneously for all producers, regardless of type of qualified loss.

Source - Western Growers