Oppose Efforts to Delete Ag Assistance

April 28, 2006 -- ?On behalf of the signators, we are writing to urge you to oppose any efforts to delete the agricultural disaster assistance provisions from the Fiscal Year 2006 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill when it is considered by the full Senate.? This was the message sent this week to the chairman and the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee and Appropriations Committee by a coalition of agricultural organizations including the American Sheep Industry Association

Virtually every state in the nation has been impacted by significant weather related and disaster losses. About 80 percent of U.S. counties were declared disaster or contiguous disaster counties last year due to devastating hurricanes, fires, floods, excessive moisture and severe drought.

Many producers need assistance within weeks to repay loans and secure new financing in time for spring planting, so prompt action on this measure is vitally important given that production loss assistance can take up to six months.

?Our message is a simple one,? stated ASI President Paul Frischknecht, a sheep producer from Utah. ?We are urging all Senators to oppose any efforts to delete the agricultural disaster assistance provisions from the bill. Virtually every state in the nation has been impacted by significant weather related and disaster losses.?

Industry leaders are encouraged to contact their respective Senate offices with this message.

Staff contact: Peter Orwick, ext. 33