SCHUMER: SEVERE DROUGHT IN UPSTATE NEW YORK COULD MEAN TROUBLE FOR FARMERS; SENATOR CALLS ON USDA TO CONDUCT A DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FOR LIKELY DISASTER DECLARATION FOR IMPACTED COUNTIES SUFFERING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE THIS SUMMER
Farmers Anticipate Worst Drought In Years, But Won’t Know Full Extent of Damage Until the Fall, Then Farmers Will Need Quick Turnaround in USDA Assistance Programs To Mitigate Crop Loss
Schumer To USDA: Do Not Delay; Prepare Damage Assessment NOW So We Are Ready to Promptly Provide Relief to Drought-Impacted Upstate NY Farmers
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to begin the process of issuing a disaster declaration to help Upstate New York farmers who suffer major losses and crop damage from the severe drought this summer. The senator is calling on USDA to stand ready to issue a Secretarial disaster declaration so low-interest emergency loans can be made available to eligible farmers. In addition, the senator is calling for USDA to work with farmers to document losses and process their claims for USDA disaster assistance programs.
“I have seen in my travels around the state and heard from many growers that many fields are already parched from this summer’s drought – so the time is ripe for USDA to begin preparing for a disaster declaration for our Upstate New York farmers,” said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. “New York is home to countless quality farms, vineyards, and orchards, and this summer there is widespread concern that the drought will dramatically reduce their harvest and that growers won't have the cash flow to replant. That is why I am putting the U.S. Department of Agriculture on notice to marshal its resources, start the assessment process early and be ready to provide swift relief to farmers across Upstate New York.”
Upstate New York is currently facing a severe drought which could have a severe impact on farmers who could suffer from complete -or-partial crop or pasture losses, water shortages, and water restrictions. Small farmers across many counties -- especially 22 counties in the Southern Tier, Rochester-Finger Lakes region, Central New York, Western New York – have already detected evidence of serious drought conditions, which is why Schumer is calling on USDA and it’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices, to mobilize resources well in advance so the USDA can deliver quick relief to impacted farmers and growers.
Following crop losses due to severe droughts conditions, growers often suffer from cash flow problems that impact their ability to replant quickly and also impact production for several years into the future, which is why Schumer is concerned about the damage to Upstate New York farmers and growers. Schumer said USDA should begin preparing for this emergency to help farmers that sustained losses to recover and stay viable for years to come.
USDA has several programs like the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) for livestock losses, Livestock Forage Program (LFP) for grazing losses, and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) for other losses, and Tree Assistance Program (TAP) for tree and vine mortality.
Senator Schumer sent the following letter to the USDA:
Dear Secretary Vilsack:
I write to bring your attention to a looming situation impacting New York's agricultural industry caused by this summer’s severe drought and ask that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) take immediate action to make all necessary resources available in the event of a disaster declaration.
As you may know, 22 counties in New York State throughout the Southern Tier, Rochester-Finger Lakes region, Central New York, Western New York as well as Long Island are currently facing escalating drought conditions. Multiple counties are facing severe drought conditions as evaluated by The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). Under this categorization, major impacts to farmers could include crop or pasture losses, water shortages, and water restrictions just to name a few. Farmers across many counties in these regions have already detected evidence of these catastrophic events caused by the serious drought conditions. In addition, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently issued a heightened drought warning spanning 22 counties. Due to this serious drought and the effects it is already having on New York’s farmers, it is imperative that USDA prepare to issue a disaster declaration so all of the necessary resources are available for our farmers as soon as possible.
In addition to the preparation of a disaster declaration, I ask that USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) dedicate all available resources to work with the affected farmers to prepare documentation of losses, so that they can be eligible for individual loss programs offered by your agency as soon as the disaster declaration is finalized. This will help get the necessary resources to our farmers as quickly as possible and allow the recovery process to begin swiftly.
Fortunately, while the Farm Bill included a reauthorization of the expired Tree Assistance Program (TAP) to provide reimbursement to replant or rehabilitate injured or killed vines, as well as other loss programs such as the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) for livestock losses, Livestock Forage Program (LFP) for grazing losses, and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) for other losses, USDA emergency loans may be required to help farmers that sustained bud damage or loss of crop to recover and stay viable for years to come.
New York's agricultural industry provides a livelihood for many and enriches not only the lives of those people living in the area, but many across the state. The critical part that these farms play in the region's economy simply cannot be stressed enough.
I appreciate your consideration of this important request.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator
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