The Almond Alliance offered its support for a $14 billion disaster relief legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. David G. Valadao, R-Calif., and Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., which offers support for farmers and rural communities impacted by natural disasters in 2023 including floods, droughts and wildfires.
The bipartisan Agriculture Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act proposes $14 billion in disaster relief funding to the agriculture secretary’s office for 2023 disaster expenses, according to a news release. It incorporates provisions from past relief programs, including drought definitions and direct payments and ensures simultaneous payment administration for all producers.
“Our almond growers and farmers across the nation faced significant losses in 2023 due to natural disasters,” Blake Vann, chairman of the Almond Alliance, said in a news release. “This bill will ensure they have the resources needed to recover and continue feeding our markets. It’s critical that Congress moves quickly to get this aid to the producers who are counting on it.”
Valadao and Panetta were joined in introduction by Reps. John Duarte, R-Calif.; Jim Costa, D-Calif.; Vince Fong, R-Calif.; Jake LaTurner, R-Kan.; Dan Newhouse, R-Wash.; Salud Carbajal, D-Calif.; Darren Soto, D-Fla.; Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif.; Marc Molinaro, R-N.Y.; Mike Thompson, D-Calif.; and Josh Harder, D-Calif.
The legislation is supported by the American Farm Bureau, California Farm Bureau, Western Growers Association, National Milk Producers Federation, Milk Producers Council, California Dairies Inc., Napa Valley Vinters, California Tomato Growers Association, Almond Alliance, and the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, the release said.
