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WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO) provided a list of policies to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue on Wednesday to help farmers and producers in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The proposal outlined what executive steps the Trump Administration can take and what policies they can support to ease the burden on farmers during this difficult time.

The proposal included numerous ideas Smith gathered from conference calls he has held with individuals throughout southern Missouri. Last Thursday, he held a call with 40 farmers to solicit feedback about how they’re being impacted by the coronavirus and to hear their ideas for what would be most helpful in getting relief to America’s farmers right now. Additionally, he spoke with over 80 small and family-owned businesses to hear what kind of immediate relief would be most helpful to them.

Smith wants to ensure their feedback is properly reflected and that their needs are being addressed.

“Our farmers work tirelessly to provide American families with the most nutritious and abundant food anywhere else on earth, and we must ensure their needs are responded to during this historic pandemic” said Congressman Smith. “President Trump has been an incredible ally for our rural communities, and that’s why I’m providing him the feedback I’ve received directly from our farmers and producers about how we can do exactly that. I’ve outlined dozens of ways his administration can provide immediate and targeted relief to them right now.”

Specifically, Smith says the administration should be helping farmers and producers through both direct payments as well as access to low and zero-interest loans. Other ways USDA can help is by providing targeted assistance for forest products, along with broader regulatory relief and investments for increasing broadband access. 

Smith stressed the importance of these policy proposals to Secretary Perdue, saying “every available resource must be put on the table in order to help our farmers and producers through this national health emergency.”

Smith has been adamant about the needs of rural communities during the coronavirus outbreak. Last week, he outlined a series of legislative proposals to help cushion the blow to southern Missouri, and other rural communities across the country, while the nation faces the threat of this historic pandemic.

The full text of the proposal is available below:

The Honorable Sonny Perdue
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250

I would like to first thank President Trump and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the hard work you all have put in on behalf of America’s farmers and producers. Whether its expanding global trade markets or repealing Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), American farmers know they can count on the Trump Administration.

During this time of great uncertainty, I know that this Administration will take every action necessary to continue prioritization of farmers and producers. With that in mind, please find several policies that I believe will give farmers and producers the relief they need to make it through this difficult stretch.

Direct Payments to Farmers and Producers

• Farmers and producers need money in their pockets now. The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) needs to be replenished and the USDA needs to fully utilize the CCC’s resources in order to directly provide disaster assistance to producers across the spectrum.

Flexibility and Access to Low- and Zero-Interest Loans

• American farmers need flexibility and increased access to government-backed loans.
• Whether it’s through the Small Business Administration (SBA) or the Farm Service Agency (FSA), these loans should be low- to zero-interest.
• The loans should be simple to apply for, have generous repayment periods, and have a quick turnaround time from application to receipt.
• The FSA needs to increase its borrowing limit. Whether it’s through individual programs or the overall amount, the FSA can give farmers the lifeline they need right now.
• USDA should also issue an advance on farmers’ Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) in order to give them the liquidity they need to maintain their operations.
• Disaster assistance programs such as the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) or the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) should be repurposed to provide direct and immediate assistance to producers.
• The repayment period for marketing assistance loans needs to be extended with no interest.
• I also support lenders within the Farm Credit System finding creative ways to assist with producer debt either through restructuring or refinancing.

Forest Products

• In Missouri, the forest products industry is an essential aspect of our rural economy.
• Any relief package must include targeted assistance for these hard-working men and women. Our nation’s forest products industry cannot be left behind.

Regulatory Relief

• I applaud the Administration for giving livestock haulers the Hours of Service (HOS) flexibility needed to ensure that the vital links in our supply chain are maintained.
• The Administration must continue seeking ways to provide further flexibility in order to maintain the safe and efficient movement of supplies that are essential to consumers and producers.
• Further, all state and federal resources need to be focused on responding to this epidemic rather than rolling out new regulations.

Broadband Access

• Finally, funding for USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program needs to be increased. Our rural communities deserve access to the same information and resources as urban and suburban communities. The rural broadband gap must be closed.

Every available resource must be put on the table in order to help our farmers and producers through this national health emergency. Thank you for your attention to these matters. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance during this time of crisis.

Sincerely,

Jason Smith
Member of Congress

You can read the original letter sent to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, here.

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