RMA proposes insurance for underserved, specialty crops
February 25, 2015 |05:31 PM
The Agriculture Department’s Risk Management Agency today proposed changes to existing regulations to expand crop insurance to farmers who currently don’t have coverage available for their crops, including many fruit and vegetable growers.
The announcement was published in the Federal Register today. The public comment period is open until April 27.
Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., praised the announcement, noting the change came from the 2014 farm bill.
“For too long the federal crop insurance program hasn’t fully included our nation’s fruit and vegetable growers,” said Stabenow.
“That’s why we fought for reforms in the farm bill to put these producers on equal footing with traditional commodities. No farmer should ever be forced to file for bankruptcy and lose the family farm because of bad weather or market conditions outside of their control. Moreover, we should be encouraging the production of fruits and vegetables with the same level of commitment that we support row crops and traditional commodities.”
The announcement was published in the Federal Register today. The public comment period is open until April 27.
Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., praised the announcement, noting the change came from the 2014 farm bill.
“For too long the federal crop insurance program hasn’t fully included our nation’s fruit and vegetable growers,” said Stabenow.
“That’s why we fought for reforms in the farm bill to put these producers on equal footing with traditional commodities. No farmer should ever be forced to file for bankruptcy and lose the family farm because of bad weather or market conditions outside of their control. Moreover, we should be encouraging the production of fruits and vegetables with the same level of commitment that we support row crops and traditional commodities.”
