The National Bison Association welcomed USDA’s announcement today that bison producers are now eligible for relief under the second round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP-2) payments.
“Bison producers now have the ability to receive assistance in weathering the economic storm that has been wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dave Carter, executive director of the National Bison Association. “This is welcome news, and we thank everyone who helped bring our ranchers and farmers into this program.”
The National Bison Association initially contacted Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in late March to request that bison producers be included in any COVID assistance package developed for agriculture. Following that request, the association provided USDA with a series of reports documenting the extent of the economic impact that the pandemic was creating for bison producers and marketers.
Carter noted that bison ranchers were frustrated as USDA excluded them from eligibility when CFAP assistance packages were announced in May and July.
“Bison producers across the country weighed in with public comments to USDA and letters to their Senators and Representatives. It’s encouraging to know that their voices were heard,” Carter said.
“The long-term outlook for our business is very bright, but ranchers need to be able to get through the financial difficulties created by COVID-19,” he added. “Eligibility for CFAP assistance will definitely help.”
Bison ranchers can begin the process of applying for assistance at. https://www.farmers.gov/cfap/
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