08.11.20

Hoeven: USDA to Release Remaining Ag Assistance Payments to Producers With Approved CFAP Applications

Administration Also Extends Application Deadline, Expands Eligible Commodities

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will begin releasing the remaining 20 percent of payments to producers with approved applications under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Further, USDA is extending the CFAP application deadline until September 11, 2020, and is expanding eligibility to cover additional commodities, including all sheep. 

“We welcome the release of these remaining agriculture assistance payments, helping producers to further cover their losses and maintain their operations,” said Hoeven. “At the same time, the extended deadline to apply gives important flexibility for producers, and we appreciate USDA providing broader coverage under CFAP for farm country, including our sheep producers. As we work toward consensus on the next COVID-19 response legislation, we continue to press for additional agriculture funding to ensure USDA has the resources it needs to support our farmers and ranchers.” 

Today’s announcement comes in response to public comments and data submitted to USDA and follows a series of meetings Hoeven has held to facilitate feedback from local stakeholders to the administration. This includes multiple discussions with producers prior to the implementation of CFAP and following the release of the program’s final rules.

Additional details on the announcement can be found at www.farmers.gov/cfap. 

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