GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES NEW DISASTER RELIEF FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS
                                            Release No. 0460.99
                                                               
                                                               
                                     Dann Stuart (202) 720-7961
                                    Dan_Stuart@wdc.fsa.usda.gov


GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES NEW DISASTER RELIEF FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS

         WASHINGTON, November 18, 1999-Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
today announced that eligible farmers and ranchers can sign up to receive
payments to compensate them for losses that occurred in 1999 because natural
disasters either destroyed livestock or grazing resources for their livestock
or both.

     "We know farmers need assistance as soon as they can get it, so we'll be
working hard to disburse this money quickly," Glickman said.

     The assistance will be made under USDA's Livestock Indemnity Program
(LIP) and Livestock Assistance Program (LAP).  The funding, $200 million, was
authorized by the recently signed agriculture appropriations act for FY2000.

     The sign-up for LIP began November 15, 1999 and is available to eligible
producers who lost livestock due to a disaster in an area that received a
Presidential or Secretarial Disaster Designation. 

     The sign-up period for LAP will vary by county.  Producers will be
notified of the sign up period by USDA's Service Center or Farm Service Agency
(FSA) county office. Eligibility for LAP benefits is based on whether a
producer suffered a loss of grazing because of a natural disaster. 
     
     For both LIP and LAP, the producer's operation must be located in a
county approved for the program. Both programs are scheduled to end early next
year and are administered by USDA's Farm Service Agency. 
     
     Further information is available at local Farm Service Agency offices or
USDA Service Centers, which are listed in telephone books under "United States
Government, Department of Agriculture or at
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/news/releases/index.htm.
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