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For Immediate Release
December 7, 1999

White: State Help on the Way for Farmers, Flood Victims

HARRISBURG – The state Senate today approved a comprehensive financial relief package for farmers struggling to recover from this year’s devastating drought, said Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21), who supported the measure.

The legislation will provide a total of $140.6 million in state and federal aid to Pennsylvania farmers – more drought relief assistance than is being provided by any other state.

The senator noted that the measure was expanded to provide relief for victims of floods that occurred in August and September, and to aid farmers with fruit orchards who suffered losses due to the onset of the Plum Pox Virus.

"The state was hit hard by a number of natural disasters this year," White said. "This bill will help citizens who were hit by the flooding recover some of their losses. And most importantly, it will help farmers – some of whom suffered total losses this year – make it through to the next planting season."

White said the package would provide $60 million for drought relief, in addition to a projected $75 million provided by the federal government for crop disaster relief.

To be eligible for state aid, a farmer must have been approved for federal disaster relief; the state will match up to 75 percent of the federal grant each farmer receives.

In addition, the legislation would provide $5.6 million to subsidize crop insurance costs for farmers. As a condition for receiving benefits, producers must purchase crop insurance in 2000 and 2001.

The state funds will help defray up to 10 percent of the cost of premiums and fees for individual farmers. The goal is to encourage more farmers to participate in crop insurance programs, to protect against future crop losses, said White.

The senator said Pennsylvania’s 50,000 farmers suffered an estimated $700 million in losses due to the drought, with some farmers reporting 100 percent crop losses.

White said $2 million will be provided to underwrite commercial orchard and fruit tree nursery owners for losses incurred because of the Plum Pox Virus, which was detected this fall on a farm in Adams County.

The measure also allocates $15 million in flood relief for communities and individuals, through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the state Department of Public Welfare.

"This past year was marked by weather-related tragedies on both ends of the spectrum, from flooding to drought," White said. "Extraordinary situations like this require quick action on the part of the state, to help families and secure the future of our number one industry – agriculture."