WASHINGTON, D.C. – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) joined a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to advocate for targeted assistance for specialty crop growers so they can continue to provide food security to our country during COVID-19 response. 

In the letter, Cathy and 26 other lawmakers said, “As you work to continue mitigating the impacts of this emergency on our nation’s agriculture industry, we ask that you include targeted relief for the specialty crop industry. Such relief will not only help producers who are facing significant financial challenges but also support efforts to provide food and nutrition assistance to the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

They continued, “The novel coronavirus outbreak presents an unprecedented threat to the fresh fruit and vegetable industries. As growers, processors, and shippers work to keep safe, healthy product moving through the supply chain, we urge you to provide both regulatory flexibility and direct support to the specialty crop industry.”

Read the full letter by clicking here. 

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