Commission Signs California Ag Industry Letter Urging Congress to Prioritize Disaster Relief Funds

The California Avocado Commission joined 31 other California agricultural entities in drafting and signing a letter urging Congress to prioritize a disaster relief package for farmers and ranchers impacted by unprecedented weather events in 2023.

The letter expresses deep concerns about the lack of attention disaster funding has received and urges Congressional leaders to quickly assemble a disaster assistance package that bridges a significant gap in needed funding. While the President’s Funding Request to Meet Critical Needs proposes $2.8 billion to compensate producers for losses due to natural disasters in 2023, the letter points out that the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates losses not covered by crop insurance and other disaster assistance totals $8.5 billion.

In addition, the signatories urged Congress to address Emergency Relief Program implementation challenges that negatively impact producers including streamlining the disaster programs, adopting a consistent and standard ERP framework that eliminates the two-phase approach and providing compensation for losses beyond physical damages.

The complete letter to Congress is available in the right-hand navigation.