Tax Extenders Bill Passes Senate

Farmers affected by weather-related disasters are one step closer to receiving relief, after the U.S. Senate approved by a vote of 62 to 36 a disaster package as part of the Tax Extenders Act of 2009. Senate Ag Committee Chairman Blanche Lincoln says, "We cannot afford to see our farmers forced out of business because of weather conditions out of their control. This will provide the relief producers need to stay in business."

The legislation, introduced by Lincoln, would provide an estimated 1.1-billion dollars in supplemental payments to producers who suffered crop losses in counties declared “primary” disaster areas by USDA. It also includes a clause extending the biodiesel tax incentive. If passed, the biodiesel tax incentive would, in effect, permit biodiesel producers to increase or, in some cases, resume production.

Also included is 300-million to assist specialty crop producers, 75-million in emergency loans to poultry producers, 50-million in assistance for livestock producers, 25-million in aquaculture assistance and 42-million dollars to aid first handlers of cottonseed.