USDA announces assistance for dairy producers, PMVAP and ODMAP programs with up to $250 million in payments.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced additional assistance for dairy producers, including a second round of payments through the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program (PMVAP) and a new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). The PMVAP will make payments of nearly $100 million to eligible dairy farmers for fluid milk sales between 5 million and 9 million pounds from July through December 2020, at a rate of 80 percent of the revenue difference per month. The ODMAP, to be administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), will provide payments to cover a portion of the estimated marketing costs for 2023 for eligible organic dairy producers, up to $100 million.
The PMVAP distributed over $250 million in payments to over 25,000 eligible dairy farmers in the first round. The payments will be distributed through agreements with independent handlers and cooperatives, with reimbursement to handlers for allowed administrative costs. The ODMAP will provide assistance through unused Commodity Credit Corporation funds and will help eligible organic dairy producers with up to 75 percent of their future projected marketing costs in 2023.
The USDA is committed to providing assistance to producers who have been impacted by the pandemic and ensuing Federal policies. The PMVAP and ODMAP will enable USDA to better support small- and medium-sized dairy operations who have been affected by the pandemic and other challenges. The USDA is also committed to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America.
The USDA is aiming to fulfill its commitments to fill gaps in pandemic assistance for producers. The PMVAP and ODMAP will provide assistance to those dairy farmers who need it the most, and the USDA is providing further details about both programs on their website. The USDA is dedicated to transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, and building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers.
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