Congressman Carter Celebrates USDA Action to Assist Louisiana Crawfish Farmers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) praised the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for granting emergency assistance to Louisiana’s Crawfish Aquaculture Industry through the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP). Crawfish farmers who suffered losses last year due to excessive heat will be eligible for grants.

Excessive drought of D4 or greater occurred in 2023 in Louisiana, including all the parishes where commercial crawfish are grown and harvested. Additionally, all parishes experienced over 40 days of temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. In the last 39 years, there were less than 40 days of 100-degree temperatures.

“Crawfish is deeply ingrained in our cultural identity, representing more than just a product – it's a cherished way of life passed down through generations,” said Rep. Carter. “Recent extreme weather events have caused financial setbacks, and our crawfish producers need a helping hand. This industry sustains farmers and a network of processors, restaurants, and small businesses crucial to Louisiana's economy. I’d like to thank Secretary Vilsack for supporting crawfish farmers by providing ELAP grants to help those hurting recover their financial losses.”

In late February, Congressman Carter and Congressman Garrett Graves (R-LA) sent letters to the USDA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) urging them to aid the crawfish aquaculture industry following devastation from extreme weather conditions. This includes a severe drought and a subsequent freeze that has wreaked havoc on Louisiana’s agricultural landscape. Congressman Carter then urged Governor Jeff Landry to issue a statewide disaster declaration which resulted in the SBA granting access to EIDL loans for anyone in the Crawfish Aquaculture Industry suffering from economic hardship.

“Everyone at home felt the effects of last year’s heat on our crawfish – from farm to table,” said Rep. Graves. “We knew that the federal government didn’t need any more authority to do the right thing and provide relief to our crawfishers. While it shouldn’t have taken three months for the Department of Agriculture to act, we appreciate that our farmers will now receive this long-awaited support. We will continue doing everything that we can in Congress to do our crawfishers (and our crawfish) justice.” 

“Louisiana’s crawfish industry has been reeling from the effects of last year’s heat and drought. This is a welcomed announcement from USDA that will really help our farmers and our state. Crawfish is important to our culture and our economy. We appreciate the efforts of Congressmen Graves and Carter, along with the entire Louisiana delegation, in urging USDA to immediately use its authority to provide much-need relief, and for its longstanding support to protect the livelihoods of our crawfish farmers. Louisiana Farm Bureau works best when our members and congressional leaders come together,” said Jim Harper, President of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.

Background

ELAP provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybee, and farm-raised fish who suffer losses because of disease, adverse weather, or other conditions. ELAP provides assistance for losses not covered under other Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill, specifically, Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). The assistance provided under ELAP for farm-raised fish losses include physical loss and feed loss.

Drought has not been considered an eligible loss condition due to water being a fundamental element to raise aquatic species, like soil being required to raise field crops. This policy has been in place for the lifetime of the ELAP program. However, excessive heat is an eligible cause of loss under ELAP. 

The losses Louisiana crawfish producers suffered in 2023, according to aquaculture experts at Louisiana State University, can primarily be attributed to the extreme heat suffered in the area. Therefore, the 2023 adverse weather resulting in 2024 production losses will be considered covered losses by the ELAP Program if each producer meets all other eligibility requirements.

Under the ELAP Program producers must provide a beginning and ending inventory record. But, due to the unique production systems for crawfish producers this is almost impossible to do. FSA has adopted special policy for crawfish producers where other criteria and flexibilities will be allowed to provide the required inventory and production records. These flexibilities should allow all commercial producers to have an opportunity to apply for the program.

Learn more about ELAP here.

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