HEROES Act Includes Needed Relief for Agriculture

The U.S. House of Representatives today approved the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act (H.R. 6800), a comprehensive $3 trillion bill to provide relief amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The legislation includes several provisions to assist the agriculture industry. The HEROES Act will provide $16.5 billion in direct payments to farmers, including corn growers, to cover losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation will also provide much-needed relief to renewable fuel producers, including those who produce corn ethanol. NCGA earlier this week called on members of Congress to provide assistance to help the U.S. biofuel industry mitigate the impact of plant closures on the food and feed supply chain and rural communities.

Additionally, the HEROES Act assists agriculture by providing additional authority to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and includes assistance for livestock, dairy and specialty crop producers to address the immediate challenges being felt in those sectors.

The HEROES Act acknowledges the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing support for existing farm stress programs. Assistance for beginning farmers and ranchers, support services for migrant seasonal farmworkers and increased funds and flexibility for USDA nutrition programs is also included.

NCGA thanks members of the House for their support for agriculture during the COVID-19 pandemic and looks forward to continuing negotiations to get this important support for agriculture signed