Hagedorn Statement on USDA Halting CFAP Payments

Statement

WASHINGTON -- Today, Congressman Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) initiated a video call with FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux in which they discussed the USDA's apparent intention to cancel long-scheduled "top up" Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments to pork producers. The Congressman released the following statement after the call:

"USDA's refusal to provide needed assistance to American pork producers is completely unacceptable. These "top up" payments were long ago appropriated and have been promised to pork producers since January. The Biden Administration's freeze on CFAP payments has shortchanged southern Minnesota's pork producers, including independent family farmers who were promised help and desperately need assistance.

"Swine producers have been waiting for over eight months to receive compensation, but have been given no indication from USDA as to if or when these payments will be made. This COVID relief assistance is vital to sustaining family farms, rural communities and America's food supply. Voiding these payments demonstrates a lack of empathy for our family farmers and is just another example of the Biden Administration's War on Agriculture."

Background: In January, the Trump Administration finalized a rule authorizing $17/head in additional CFAP assistance for swine producers based off of inventory held from April 16, 2020, to May 14, 2020. In August, Congressman Hagedorn and Congressman Randy (R-IA) sent a letter to FSA Administrator Ducheneaux urging him to process the top up payments immediately.

Jim Hagedorn was reelected in 2020 to serve Minnesota's First District in the U.S. House of Representatives for a second term. He grew up on his family's grain and livestock farm near Truman. Jim's father, former Congressman Tom Hagedorn (MN-02), grandfather, and great-grandfather were all southern Minnesota farmers, and Jim resides in the rural community of Blue Earth. During his time in Congress, Hagedorn has consistently fought for the conservative principles that have made America the greatest nation in the history of the world and championed legislation to promote the First District's primary industries and job creators -- farming, small business and medical care. Hagedorn is a member of the House Committees on Agriculture and Small Business.

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