Off-Lead Story -- More LMAAP Support

More LMAAP Support

U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas and U.S. Congressmen Bruce Otter and Mike Simpson of Idaho continue to rally support for a one-year extension of the Lamb Market Adjustment Assistance Program (LMAAP) by communicating with Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman.

In separate letters to Veneman in mid May, each stated that "these programs have proven crucial to enhancing the competitiveness of the U.S. lamb industry, while at the same time stabilizing the industry in years of drought and market instability."

They continued, saying, "Due to increased lamb imports and increased production costs, sheep breeding stock numbers are at an all time low. In short, the LMAAP offers the kinds of assistance needed by the industry, but requires more time to fulfill its mission. An extension would better enable the lamb industry not only to recover but also to rebuild.?

According to American Sheep Industry Association Executive Director Peter Orwick, "The additional congressional communications to the secretary help to keep the importance of the LMAAP extension visible while the funding decisions are being approved. We appreciate these members of Congress adding their support of our request. They join twenty-two U.S. senators who contacted the secretary earlier in May."

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