Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) today announced that $60 million will be made available by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid poultry farmers in North Carolina and other states.
The funds will be available through the Lost Poultry Contract Assistance Program to poultry producers who lost a contract due to the bankruptcy of an integrator.
“I am pleased that the USDA is finally answering my call to support our farmers in need. North Carolina’s poultry producers help feed America and the world,” said Etheridge. “Agriculture is the number one industry in this state, and these grants will put farmers back on their feet so they can produce the food and jobs our country depends on.”
Since Pilgrim’s Pride declared bankruptcy in 2008, Etheridge has written to Secretary Tom Vilsack and has repeatedly urged the USDA to make this funding available to poultry farmers who lost their contracts. He introduced legislation to provide poultry farmers with similar bridge funding, which was included in legislation passed by the House. Like the grants announced today, the legislation was designed to provide assistance to poultry farmers who lost their contracts due to a processing plant declaring bankruptcy.
The Lost Poultry Contract Assistance Program is part of the USDA’s Disaster Assistance program designed to reestablish farmers’ abilities to produce their commodity. A grant will be made to all States with impacted producers to help cover the needs of these producers
“As a part-time farmer I understand the difficulties our farmers face. From droughts, to decreased demand, to lost contracts due to a company’s bankruptcy, disasters can come in many forms,” said Etheridge. “I will continue my strong support for our farmers because whether it is jobs or food, America depends on agriculture.”