News
Secretary Perdue confirms new trade aid details aren’t ready
Ag Secretary
Perdue says the follow-up to the Market Facilitation Program is still in
development, and he doesn’t know yet what farmers will get, or which
commodities will see payments.
Perdue says they are operating conceptually now with the President’s direction to create a program, but details are not ready. “We’re trying to listen to all of the stakeholder comments from last year (on) the implementation of the program, what went well, what we’d like to improve and we’re working those programs to present to the President.”
And, Perdue confirms direct payments are likely. “We are assuming it will contain direct payments for commodities. Certainly, the President’s concept of buying commodities for humanitarian purposes may also be part of that.”
Perdue says
the funding would be handled through the Commodity Credit Corporation. He
also told reporters whatever package is created would have to be defensible
within World Trade Organization guidelines.
The
Secretary spoke from Seoul, South Korea after meeting with G-20 Ag ministers.
President
Trump announced Monday he wants 15-billion from tariff revenue channeled
towards America’s farmers. The proposal has been criticized by ag groups,
who want trade deals instead of aid.
