NEWS RELEASE
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Contact: Caitlin Eannello, 202.547.7800
NAWG Applauds Senate COVID-19 Wheat Letter to USDA
Washington, D.C. (September 02, 2020) – On September 02, 2020, 21 Senators representing wheat-producing states issued a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture “regarding the deteriorating economic conditions being experienced by wheat farmers across the country” and the compounding impact this is having with COVID-19.
“NAWG wants to give a special thanks to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) for taking the lead on this letter,” stated NAWG President and Cass City, MI wheat grower Dave Milligan. “We applaud both parties for coming together to advocate on such an important issue.”
In the letter, the Senators point to the economic impact of COVID-19 on wheat prices and the need for assistance for all wheat growers. The letter focuses on the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), stating that “while this assistance remains important to those (hard red spring and durum wheat) producers, these classes of wheat represent approximately 30 percent of 2019 production, leaving the majority of wheat farmers without access to assistance through the CFAP program.”
“Again, we want to thank the USDA for getting CFAP quickly off the ground but stress that it does not do enough for all wheat farmers,” continued Milligan. “NAWG urges USDA to provide assistance to farmers of all classes of wheat and to consider 2020 crop losses and price decline when developing any future aid plan.”
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About NAWG
NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national levels. From their offices on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials and the public.