Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and other Washington legislators sent an urgent letter to US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting to expedite the Secretarial Catastrophe Designation for the 2023 sweet cherry crop. The season presented devastating challenges due to unusual weather conditions, resulting in a shorter season and an oversupply of sweet cherries.
The letter points out that growers in the region suffered significant economic losses, with some forced to leave 35% of the crop on the trees. USDA figures indicate losses of more than 50 per cent. Senators Cantwell and Murray and other representatives signed the letter, highlighting the broad political support for the cause.
Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
The letter was also signed by U.S Senators Maria Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), along with Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Adam Smith (WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10).
The value of sweet cherries exceeds $1 billion and the Secretary Disaster Designation would allow growers access to low-interest emergency loans to address their losses. Governor Inslee has already requested the designation, and the USDA Farm Service Agency is currently evaluating the decision, pending approval by the Secretary of Agriculture.
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Images: Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Big Country News
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