Sens. Cruz, Cornyn, Rep. Thornberry Urge USDA Secretary to Authorize Emergency Crop Use for Drought and Wildfires

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) today penned a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, urging him to authorize emergency use of CRP lands to aid producers impacted by severe drought and wildfires.

Read the full letter here and below:

May 8, 2018 

The Honorable Sonny Perdue
US Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20520-0001

Dear Secretary Perdue: 

We are writing to respectfully request that you exercise your authority to allow Texas producers to graze Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrolled lands after recent wildfires and drought have created severe hardships in the region. 

As you are aware, several Texas counties are currently in D3 (Extreme Drought) and D4 (Exceptional Drought) according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and they have been experiencing drought conditions for some time. Additionally, many counties have experienced devastating wildfires that have depleted ground cover for grazing. With the primary nesting season still in effect, emergency haying and grazing is not an option leaving emergency use as the only alternative for many producers. 

We greatly appreciate your proven support of our nation’s agricultural producers, especially the assistance provided during last year’s wildfires that was critical to recovery. Again, we respectfully ask that you utilize all available authorities and approve emergency use CRP grazing. 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

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