LCP Re-authorization Possible

January 12, 2007 - In a news release issued from Sen. Pete Domenici's (R-N.M.) office last Friday, it was announced that he and four Western colleagues introduced legislation late Thursday, Jan. 4, to aid farmers and ranchers who have been impacted by the severe winter storms in New Mexico and the region.

Domenici was joined by Sens. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), Pat Roberts (R-Kansas), Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and James Inhofe (R-OK) to introduce legislation that will re-authorize the Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and provide aid for producers who suffered livestock losses.

The bill (S.165) will direct the secretary of agriculture to allocate funds from the Commodity Credit Corporate to eligible producers that suffered losses from the recent winter storms in the West. The storms have stranded thousands of livestock without food or water. A companion bill (H.R.185) has been introduced in the House of Representatives.

"New Mexico farmers and ranchers are facing a very serious and difficult situation because of the winter storms that impacted our state. I am working with the federal government to ensure that immediate emergency aid will be available to those who need it to try to stem as many losses as possible.

"Unfortunately, livestock losses from this event are inevitable and have already occurred. The legislation we have introduced will help compensate farmers and ranchers for losses that happened as a result of the storms. I hope that the Senate can act quickly on this bill to get additional help to ranchers in New Mexico and across the West," Domenici aid.

The 2002-2003 LCP program provided to sheep producers allowed $4.50 per head for sheep and goats.

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