October 17, 2007
Bronson Announces Disaster Aid Eligibility For Catfish Producers
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today announced that disaster assistance is available to Florida catfish producers for lost or damaged feed from hurricanes, wildfires or drought that occurred from January 2005 to February 2007.
Bronson’s announcement follows Congress’s decision to provide the federal aid for catfish producers impacted by the string of natural disasters occurring during the two-year period.
Applications were sent to some 114 certified catfish producers earlier this week, and those seeking assistance are required to fill out the form with supporting documentation and return it to Bronson’s Division of Aquaculture for processing. The applications must reach the Division of Aquaculture by 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 6.
The federal assistance is limited to feed losses during the period in question, and covers actual damage to the feed, losses sustained by producers as a result of interruptions in feeding schedules or feed cost increases caused by damages to or shortages of crops that are used to produce the catfish feed.
Producers with questions about eligibility for the aid are encouraged to call the Division of Aquaculture at (850) 488-4033.
For more information:
Kal Knickerbocker
(850) 488-4033
knickec@doacs.state.fl.us
