The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding financial assistance due to COVID-19 hardships to producers of several varieties of farmed fish.
After receiving public comments and data, the agency expanded its Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), and is extending the deadline to apply for the program to 11 September.
Farmed species now covered by the CFAP program include catfish, crawfish, largemouth bass and carp sold live as foodfish, hybrid striped bass, red drum, salmon, sturgeon, tilapia, trout, ornamental/tropical fish, and recreational sportfish.
“President Trump is standing with America’s farmers and ranchers to ensure they get through this pandemic and continue to produce enough food and fiber to feed America and the world,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a news release. “That is why he authorized this USD 16 billion (EUR 13.6 billion) of direct support in the CFAP program and today we are pleased to add additional commodities eligible to receive much needed assistance.”
Producers, especially those who have not worked with USDA’s Farm Services Agency previously, should call 877-508-8364 to begin the application process.
They can also visit farmers.gov/cfap, download the application form, and submit it to their local USDA Service Center in person, by mail, or by email.
