BOSTON – Senator John Kerry today announced that Massachusetts shellfishermen will be able to more easily qualify for disaster aid assistance.

 
Last night, the Senate Finance Committee approved the Heartland, Habitat, Harvest and Horticulture Act of 2007.  This legislation creates a $5 billion permanent agriculture disaster relief trust fund, but that fund would not provide support for small, localized disasters like the red tide outbreak that severely impacted Massachusetts shellfishermen in June 2005.  Kerry assured that $35 million of that larger fund will be available annually to support shellfishermen and other acquaculture operations impacted by localized environmental and weather disasters.

 
“Over the years, our oyster fishermen and clammers have suffered economic losses due to weather and environmental disasters, and it takes the government too long to get them the support they need.  This legislation will change that. It will ensure that money is set aside to help these shellfishermen whose lives are turned upside-down when a red tide or other weather disasters destroys their harvest,” said Senator Kerry.

 
Funds can be allocated from this $35 million emergency assistance fund to support livestock, honey bees, and farm fish-raised.  Senator Kerry worked to specify that all aquaculture operations – including shellfish and aquatic plants – are included in the fund, and to increase the allocation for emergency assistance from $25 million annually to $35 million.

 
The $16 billion Heartland, Habitat, Harvest and Horticulture Act of 2007 frees up previously-obligated spending funds for the Agriculture Committee to use elsewhere in Farm Bill spending.  The Agriculture Committee will consider the Farm Bill later this month, and both bills are expected to move jointly to the Senate floor soon after.

 
###