USDA kicks off ag trade adjustment aid

USDA kicks off ag trade adjustment aid    The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday launched its Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Farmers Program to help American agricultural producers adjust to the current economy.

Vilsack

   The program is specifically designed to help farmers hurt by import competition. 'Eligible producers will receive much-needed technical assistance and cash benefits to help them adjust to the current economic environment,' said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in a statement.
   In August 2009, USDA requested public comments on a proposed rule for establishing the procedures and eligibility criteria for receiving assistance. The interim rule, published in the Federal Register on March 1, immediately implements the TAA for Partners Program and provides for an additional 30-day public comment period.
   Reauthorized by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the TAA for Farmers Program applies to producers of raw agricultural commodities and fishermen who show a greater than 15 percent decrease in national price levels, production levels and cash receipts caused by an increase in imports, compared to the average of the three proceeding marketing years.
   The TAA for Farmers Program includes help in developing business adjustment plans that can serve as a guide for adjusting a producer's business operation to prevailing economic conditions, USDA said.
   USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service administers the TAA for Farmers Program with help from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Farm Service Agency and the Agricultural Marketing Service.