Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that over $13 million in disaster assistance will be issued to livestock, honeybee and farm-raised fish producers that suffered losses in 2009 because of disease, adverse weather or other conditions. The aid will come from the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).

"The Obama administration is committed to helping producers who have suffered devastating losses due to natural disasters and this program will allow eligible producers that suffered losses in 2009 to receive emergency assistance payments that may be critical to their survival," said Vilsack.

More than $13 million in disaster assistance, including more than $7 million to compensate beekeepers for 2009 losses, will be issued. Under ELAP, producers will be compensated for losses that are not covered under other Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Payment programs established by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.

Other disaster assistance programs covered by the 2008 farm bill disaster assistance payment program are the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), and Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program. ELAP benefits related to 2010 losses are expected to be issued in early 2011.

For more information, visit your FSA county office or www.fsa.usda.gov.