Number: RL34207
Title: Crop Insurance and Disaster Assistance: in the 2008 Farm Bill
Authors: Ralph M. Chite, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: Federal crop insurance is the primary ongoing crop loss assistance program. It is permanently authorized by the Federal Crop Insurance Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.), and is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency (RMA). This is complemented with the Non-Insured Assistance Program, administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), which is available to producers not offered insurance coverage. Lack of insurance availability occurs in locations where there is insufficient production history to determine actuarial risks of a crop or in regions where production of a specific commodity is relatively small. Following a widespread and severe drought in 1988, Congress approved a large ad hoc disaster assistance program to supplement the ongoing disaster programs. Such ad hoc assistance subsequently has became routine.
Pages: 14
Date: June 20, 2008