August 26, 2009 - Sparks Announces Distribution of Aquaculture Funds & Disaster Assistance Programs
 MONTGOMERY – Commissioner Ron Sparks announces that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released funding for the Aquaculture Producers contained within the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Commissioner Sparks is pleased to announce that the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries has distributed almost $9 million for this program. "Numerous aquaculture producers suffered financial hardships during 2008 due to increased feed prices," Sparks said. "These funds will provide assistance to producers within the aquaculture industry." Checks have been distributed to 141 catfish producers. The funds will help Alabama’s producers compete with Chinese imported catfish and will help save jobs on farms and in feed mills. “We are extremely grateful that this funding is coming through for our aquaculture producers. I hope this money will help keep this industry thriving,” added Sparks. “Overall, this program contains $50 million dollars in funding within the United States. Alabama is second in production of catfish in the nation and I feel we have been well recognized in this funding.” Commissioner Sparks also noted that many producers within Alabama have been awaiting this announcement for several months and are pleased this ruling moved forward. USDA recently released a final rule regarding the supplemental agriculture disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. This release implements the general eligibility provisions for the 2008 Farm Bill disaster programs, which includes the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP), Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE), and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). The final rule also implements specific requirements for the LIP, which provides disaster assistance for livestock losses. LIP applies only to livestock owners and contract growers that had losses due to livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather during the calendar year, including losses due to hurricanes, floods, blizzards, disease, wildfires, extreme heat, and extreme cold. Eligible LIP losses must have occurred on or after January 1, 2008, and before October 1, 2011. Commissioner Sparks urges producers to stay in touch with their local Farm Service Agency Office concerning the disaster programs. In photo Sparks in center (L-R): Townsend Kyser and Bill Kyser, catfish farmers from Greensboro, AL
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August 26, 2009 - Sparks Announces Distribution of Aquaculture Funds & Disaster Assistance Programs