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Senators seek update on pandemic relief for contract swine growers

A bipartisan group of Senators is urging the Biden administration to follow through on pandemic assistance for swine producers.

Iowa Republicans Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst and Minnesota Democrats Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith sent a letter to Ag Secretary Vilsack this week pushing for contract growers to get access to top-up payments promised in January.

Grassley says the administration neglected to mention any assistance for pork in a June announcement of the aid initiative.

“The Biden administration placed this under review, and there’s been no update. So we’re trying to speed along an update.”

The letter asks Vilsack to use all USDA resources at his disposal to make contract swine growers eligible for this emergency assistance provided by Congress, and ensure they are fully aware of their eligibility.