WASHINGTON, March 29, 2004 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has certified a petition for shrimpers in North Carolina under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Farmers program. These shrimpers are now eligible to apply for TAA benefits.

Under the TAA program, USDA provides technical assistance and cash benefits to producers if an increase in imports of a like or directly competitive commodity has contributed importantly to a decline in price and a loss of income.

After an investigation of the petition, FAS determined that, during January-December 2002, increased imports of farmed shrimp contributed importantly to a decline in prices for domestic shrimp in North Carolina when compared with the previous five-year average.

North Carolina shrimpers may obtain a TAA application (FSA-229) to request program benefits from http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/eforms/mainservlet or from their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) service center. Shrimpers can check their local phone listings for the closest service center or go to http://www.fsa.usda.gov and click on "your local office" for contact information. Applications must be filed by Monday, June 28, 2004.

After shrimpers submit their applications, they will be contacted regarding technical assistance and training. Financial payments will not be made until after applications are certified.

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PR 0059-04