The United States Department of Agriculture accepted a petition from Idaho, Utah and Wyoming producers asking for a review of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program.
The Trade Adjustment Program provides assistance to U.S. producers of raw agriculture commodities who are affected by imports or competitive commodities. The program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act from 2009. The petition is to review the process the USDA uses to determine is a producer is eligible for the program.
The petitions asks that the USDA look at the national average price, value or production or cash receipts of their commodity and if they have declined more than 15 percent in the current year compared to the 3-year average. It also wants the USDA to compare these to the increase in imports during the same time.
The Montana Farm Service Agency encourages other producers to join the petition. If changes are made producers will have 90 days to contact the FSA to apply for the program.
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