{"id":1875,"date":"2020-03-27T11:46:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-27T15:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nationalpotatocouncil.org\/?p=1875"},"modified":"2020-11-06T11:53:14","modified_gmt":"2020-11-06T16:53:14","slug":"npc-welcomes-ag-benefits-in-covid-19-relief-bill-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nationalpotatocouncil.org\/npc-welcomes-ag-benefits-in-covid-19-relief-bill-2\/","title":{"rendered":"NPC Welcomes Ag Benefits in COVID-19 Relief Bill"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today the House passed by voice vote S. 3548, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2 trillion bill with significant benefits to the U.S. potato supply chain. This comes a day after the Senate passed by the bill by a 96-0 vote. The bill has been sent to President Trump for his expected signature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

National Potato Council (NPC) President Britt Raybould said, \u201cWe appreciate the commitment of our leaders to support U.S. ag producers. With spring planting underway in many areas of the nation, this bill lays the groundwork to improve the odds of a sustainable growing season in the coming weeks and months. Now, it’s time we do our part to rise to the challenge of continuing to supply food to our nation and the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPC CEO Kam Quarles said, \u201cNPC and the other leaders of the specialty crop industry are already working with USDA to target these resources. In particular, we want to ensure that growers and businesses impacted by the huge drop-off in food service have a safety net. This crisis may impact the entire 2020 season and the federal government needs to stand behind these operations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bill includes $48.9 billion for U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies and the Food and Drug Administration to continue to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, the bill provides:<\/p>\n\n\n\n