There are several provisions in the $2.2 trillion Democratic COVID aid plan that focus on nutrition and agriculture policy. It would provide additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) aid, including increases in the SNAP benefit levels and funds to cover expected participation increases in the program.
For agriculture policy, the plan would amend the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act to allow for the use of CCC funds to deal with the removal and disposal of livestock and poultry due to supply chain disruptions during a public health emergency and would require congressional notification by USDA before any disbursement of CCC funds.
Payments would be provided for livestock and poultry depopulated due to processing plant shutdowns from the health emergency with additional funds for animal health surveillance efforts.
While it is not clear if the ag-policy-related provisions will become law, the details are a clear signal of what will likely be components in the next debate on an omnibus farm bill that will start to unfold in 2021.