Enzi Seeks Drought Assistance

October 4, 2001

Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) has requested funding that would assist livestock producers suffering from severe drought conditions. In a letter sent Tuesday to Sens. Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman, and Thad Cochran (R-MS), the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies, Enzi requested that the Livestock Assistance Program (LAP) be funded through this year's Agriculture Appropriations bill.

Enzi said last year Wyoming livestock producers received more than $7 million in funding from the LAP. However, the program has not been funded for fiscal year 2002. "This is significant because cattle sales are the primary source of agriculture cash receipts in Wyoming," wrote Enzi. "This program acknowledges and rectifies the risks livestock producers experience during drought."

In an earlier letter to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, Enzi requested the immediate designation of many Wyoming counties as drought disaster areas, after which the LAP would be used to provide assistance to those livestock producers experiencing grazing loss. Enzi said that over 185,000 producers nationwide sought assistance last year from the LAP and will have no remedy this season unless the program is funded.