“To amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to expand eligibility of Department of Agriculture loans and grants for fishing and mariculture businesses, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section expands eligibility for Department of Agriculture farm ownership and operating loans to individuals and entities engaged in commercial fishing or fish processing. It permits such loans for acquiring commercial fishing permits and vessels, making capital improvements to vessels or fish processing facilities, and covering associated operating and maintenance costs. The section also includes wild-caught fish in the Local Agriculture Market Program, authorizes waivers or reductions of matching funds requirements for fishing and processing recipients, adds related statutory definitions, and directs the Secretary to integrate these participants into relevant programs with outreach and technical assistance within one year of enactment.
This section expands eligibility for Farm Credit System loans and financial services to include persons furnishing services directly related to the operating needs of aquatic product producers or harvesters.