Catfish farmers receive USDA trade adjustment assistance

Catfish farmers receive USDA trade adjustment assistance    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has approved a trade adjustment assistance request from several catfish farmer groups.
   The FAS administrator determined that increased imports of catfish fillets from Vietnam contributed to a large decline in producer prices of farm-raised catfish by nearly 21 percent from January 2002 to December 2002, when compared to the previous five-year average.
   The request, which was filed Oct. 8, was made by the Catfish Farmers of America, Rutledge & Rutledge, and the Western Regional Chapter of the Kentucky Aquaculture Association.
   From now until Feb. 16, catfish farmers represented in the request may apply to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency for benefits. After submitting completed applications, producers shall receive technical assistance provided free of charge and an adjustment assistance payment, if certain criteria are met, the agency said.