Disaster Assistance: USDA and SBA Could Do More to Help Aquaculture and Nursery Producers. Report to the Chair, Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, U.S. Senate.

摘要

Farmers and other agricultural producers are exposed to natural disasters, such as droughts, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. In the aftermath of such events, FSA and SBA disaster assistance programs can provide an important safety net for these producers. However, after past natural disasters, industry groups and others have raised concerns that some small agricultural producers--particularly aquaculture (such as farmed fish and shellfish) and nursery (such as trees and plants) producers--reported being ineligible to obtain this assistance. GAO was asked to (1) examine FSA and SBA disaster assistance programs and the coverage they provide to small producers; (2) identify the main factors, if any, that may limit small aquaculture and nursery producers participation in these disaster assistance programs; and (3) examine FSA and SBA efforts to collaborate in providing such assistance to these producers. GAO reviewed the 10 FSA and SBA disaster assistance programs that become available following a natural disaster and that provide direct financial assistance or loans to these producers, interviewed agency officials and industry representatives, and reviewed agency documents and regulations.