While there has been some uncertainty on whether the administration would make the final installment of the 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP 2) payment to farmers, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue Wednesday appeared to put that issue to rest.
In separate interviews with Ag Day and Bloomberg, Perdue sought to assure farmers he expects the payments will be made.
Asked by Ag Day if the third MFP 2 installment would come, Perdue said, "I absolutely do expect that and I do not know, I do not know where the fake news came from over the anxiety of that maybe not being there. But it did not come from us. There has been questions from the Hill and from other industries there. But my expectation is that the president will direct us to fulfill that third tranche of the commitment of the 2019 MFP payments."
In his remarks to Bloomberg, Perdue said, "I'm counting on it, but we've got to get that allocated through the Office of Management and Budget. But I see no reason why we can't get that done."
Through Jan. 6, USDA has paid out $10.769 billion under MFP 2, with Iowa, Illinois, Texas, Minnesota and Kansas being the top five states receiving the payments.
Welcome
