The Russell Group President Randy Russell said there will be several provisions to help agriculture in the Senate’s phase four COVID-19 package, including biofuels aid and reimbursement for livestock producers who had to euthanize healthy animals during the pandemic. “I do think there will be compensation provided in this next package, but I’m not sure what we’ll see for an increase in the Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing funds. It would have a multi-year cost,” said Russell. I also think there will be a significant amount of money to be used for losses farmers and ranchers incurred after April for 2020. More details will be known on that in the next few weeks.” The path forward for this fourth COVID-19 package may prove challenging. “I think lawmakers will try to get this package hammered out before they break for the August recess; it’s only two weeks away. A lot has to happen here in the next few weeks,” said Russell. “This is the Senate’s bargaining shot against what the House has already passed and then, the serious negotiations begin.”
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