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Boustany Urges USDA to Extend 2009 Crop Insurance Deadline for Farmers Impacted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike

Sep 25 2008

 Washington, D.C.– U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., (R-Southwest Louisiana), today urged USDA Secretary Ed Schafer to extend the 2009 crop insurance deadline, which is set to close on September 30, 2008, for farmers impacted by hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

“Farmers and ranchers across Southwest Louisiana continue to struggle with recovery as flooding and debris hamper their efforts,” Boustany said.  “With the 2009 crop insurance deadline just days away, Secretary Schafer must act to help many farmers who remain unable to return to their farms because of safety concerns.”
                  
Boustany sent a letter to Secretary Schafer asking for the 2009 crop insurance deadline be moved to October 31, 2008. Many farmers in Cameron Parish as well as other parts of Louisiana remain unable to return to their farms to assess damage. Of those farmers allowed to return, many face dawn-to-dusk curfews and other immediate barriers to applying for 2009 insurance.
 
The text of Boustany’s letter is below.
 
 
September 25, 2008
 
The Honorable Ed Schafer
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250
 
Dear Secretary Schafer,
 
As a result of the hurricanes Gustav and Ike, many Louisiana residents were forced to evacuate from their homes and farms. Following the storms, some residents were not allowed to return home until storm damage was cleared, while many residents were forced to remain away from their homes for over two weeks. Some residents remain unable to return home due to storm damage. In addition, many areas of Louisiana have been under dusk-to-dawn curfews following the storms, and farmers are restricted from evening travel and commerce.
 
As a result of the impact from two hurricanes, Louisiana experienced a massive interruption of commerce which stopped crop insurance agents and farmers from being able to meet, transact business and purchase their crop insurance needs for fall-planted crops. With the sales closing date of September 30, 2008 rapidly approaching, it is obvious that our farmers need a temporary crop insurance extension to evaluate their insurance needs for the 2009 crop year.
 
I respectfully request the Risk Management Agency extend the crop insurance sales closing date to October 31, 2008 for the applicable crops in parishes throughout Louisiana covered by a Presidential Disaster Declaration resulting from hurricanes Gustav and Ike. I appreciate your prompt action regarding this request.
 
 
                                                            Sincerely,
 
                                                            /sic/
 
                                                            Charles W. Boustany, Jr.
                                                            Member of Congress
 
 
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