SRA Second Draft ATTACKS Rural Small Businesses
February 24, 2010
Yesterday afternoon, USDA finally released the full second draft of the SRA (Available here). This draft contains changes that are even more detrimental to agents than the provisions in the previous draft. Particularly upsetting with the second draft is RMA's proposal to place a “soft cap” on agent commissions, arbitrarily setting a limit on the amount of A&O that can be used to pay agents.
In response to this draft and to RMA’s direct attack on rural small businesses at a time when America needs them the most, NACIA, along with IIABA and PIA, sent a letter directly to RMA this morning. This letter strongly expresses our opposition to the proposed cap and explains in detail the destructive effects the proposals would have if enacted. The full text of the letter is below and posted on our website here.
As you can see, the crop insurance program is not only under attack, but agents are being singled out and needlessly targeted. It is more important now than ever to ensure that NACIA has a strong voice to combat the attempts by RMA to gut the crop insurance program and deplete an essential resource to rural Americans, both in the form of a safety net to our farmers and ranchers and as a stabilizing economic force. Please pay your 2010 dues and encourage others to join NACIA as well. The more agents that join NACIA, the stronger our voice. This leads to better protection of agents’ interests. Click here for our secure membership form.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Brent W. Gattis
NACIA Washington Representative
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Kathy Fowler, NACIA President, 110 North 6th Street, P.O. Box 368, Memphis, TX 79245
phone: 806-259-1842, toll free: 877-390-9862, toll free fax: 800-848-3216
email: info@nacia.org, web: www.nacia.org
© 2010 National Association of Crop Insurance Agents. All rights reserved. Privacy & Non-Discrimination
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Association of Crop Insurance Agents prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (Voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. |
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