USDA offers payments for 2012 fruit losses | Food and Environment Reporting Network

Growers have 60 days to submit applications for compensation for fruit losses in 2012, the Agriculture Department said in the Federal Register. The payments will flow through the Noninsured Assistance Program, which provide protection similar to crop insurance for commodities not covered by catastrophic insurance. A provision of the new farm policy law makes the payments possible in counties that were declared agricultural disaster areas due to freeze or frost. “Other qualifying causes of loss, as specified in the current NAP regulations, include damaging weather or adverse natural occurrences such as flooding,” said USDA.

“NAP coverage is not automatic; producers must apply for NAP and pay a service fee at their FSA county office to obtain coverage, as well as meet certain other eligibility criteria” said USDA. Payment will be made on losses that exceed 50 percent of expected production at 55 percent of the average market price. For a total loss, the payment would be 27.5 percent of the crop value.

Senate Agriculture chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, who took credit for the provision, said in a statement, “Family farms and businesses shouldn’t have to go under because of a few days of bad weather.”

USDA also published a proposed rule to require more detailed recordkeeping by retailers who grind raw beef and set a 60-day comment period. The rule is intended to make it easier to identify suppliers in case of disease.