WASHINGTON (September 19, 2020) – House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota responded Saturday to the introduction of the second Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, citing progress for several different groups of farmers, but work yet to be done to help all producers impacted by the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

“There are some good things in this second CFAP plan, and the Secretary should be commended for simplifying the application process for specialty crop growers and making sure livestock producers, like the turkey growers in my district, have what they need. It also expands the program to all classes of wheat and makes sure most commodities left out in the first round receive some support,” Peterson said. “And while this version of CFAP takes those good steps, there is some frustration over the participation rate among some sectors, including specialty crop producers.”

“I still want to see help for the ethanol industry that has been hurt by the drop in fuel demand, textile mills that are helping create COVID medical supplies, pork and poultry producers that had to depopulate as a result of plant closures, and contract growers who have faced loss of income,” added Peterson.