USDA approves trade help for La. shrimpers, not for seed potatoes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has approved a petition filed Tuesday by Biloxi, Miss.-based Gollott’s Oil Dock and Icehouse, seeking trade adjustment assistance for Louisiana shrimpers.
Louisiana shrimpers are eligible to apply for fiscal 2005 benefits during an application period ending June 13.
The agency determined in an investigation that increased farmed shrimp imports contributed significantly to a decline in landed prices of shrimp in Louisiana by 30.4 percent during January-December 2003, when compared to the previous five years.
Eligible producers must apply to the USDA Farm Service Agency for benefits. The Extension Service will provide technical help at no cost and some producers may receive adjustment assistance payments.
The USDA, however, rejected a trade adjustment assistance petition filed for seed potatoes on Jan. 13 by the Spokane Hutterian Brethren in Reardan, Wash. The agency said the petition did not meet the necessary criteria to be eligible for assistance.