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USDA evaluates crop insurance for Maine lobster industry
Federal agriculture officials from the USDA visited Maine to discuss expanding crop insurance-style safety nets to the state’s lobster industry. Currently, lobstermen rely on federal fishery disaster declarations, which can take several years to distribute aid. Industry leaders expressed interest in revenue protection models to mitigate market volatility and price crashes, though the Maine Lobstermen’s Association noted that existing agricultural programs may not perfectly suit small-boat, independent operations.
Entities
Maine · Maine Lobstermen’s Association · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration · Richard Fordyce · U.S. Department of Agriculture
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The USDA is evaluating whether to expand crop insurance to protect the Maine lobster industry. www.centralmaine.com · www.bangordailynews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Existing agricultural programs may not translate easily to the small-boat, owner-operated lobster fishery. www.centralmaine.com · www.bangordailynews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Lobstermen appear to favor revenue protection over simple yield guarantees. www.centralmaine.com · www.bangordailynews.com