ISSUE 1099 USDA
GRANTS ASSISTANCE TO FLORIDA AVOCADO PRODUCERS USDA's
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced Tuesday (January 17) that it agrees
with Florida avocado producers who claimed that imports caused a producer price
decline in their Florida-grown avocados last year. FAS
approved a petition filed by the Florida producers under the Trade Adjustment
Assistance (TAA) for Farmers program saying that “imports of avocados contributed
importantly to a decline in avocado producer prices in Florida during 2005 when
compared to the applicable 1999-2004 base-period." Under
the TAA program, USDA provides technical assistance and cash benefits if imports
of a like or directly competitive commodity contributed importantly to a decline
in producer prices and a loss of net income. Producers
may apply for TAA benefits until April 4, 2006. For an application, go to http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/mainservlet
or visit your nearest Farm Service Agency service center. ALSO IN THIS WEEK'S RAP-UP (Members-Only articles are indicated in bold.) | |
