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Texas grain
farmers elect not to establish a statewide grain indemnity fund
Results of the
TGPIB referendum released
AUSTIN, Texas (January 2, 2013) – Texas grain farmers voted against the establishment
of a statewide grain indemnity fund in the referendum held by the Texas Grain Producers
Indemnity Board, according to the results released today after
the canvassing of the ballots.
Farmers across the state voted in the referendum, which was held Nov. 19,
2012, until Dec. 7, 2012, on the statewide establishment of a grain
indemnity fund. According to the Texas Department of
Agriculture, who canvassed the ballots, there were 1,678
ballots submitted during the referendum with 1,171 farmers voting in
opposition and 507 farmers voting in favor – preventing it from obtaining
the required two-thirds majority to pass.
“Over the years, many producers across Texas have been forced to
deal with the financial pain that comes when a grain buyer fails.
Unfortunately, Texas grain producers will continue to face this risk
for at least another crop year,” TGPIB Chairman Dee Vaughan said.
“The TGPIB will be meeting soon with stakeholder groups to determine
the best course of action for the future.”
During the referendum, which was held in accordance with the referendum
rules found at 4 Texas Agriculture Code, Ch. 17, Subchapter A, Div. 3 by
the TDA, farmers voted on establishing an assessment rate within a range
of 0.2 percent to 0.6 percent of the final sales price of grain. The
assessment would have been collected and remitted to the TGPIB effective
Feb. 1, 2013 – providing coverage for producers for the 2013 crop season.
The TGPIB was established as the result of legislation passed by the 2011
Texas legislature and signed into law by the governor. Rep. Larry Phillips of Sherman and Sen. Craig Estes
of Wichita Falls introduced the legislation after a series of grain buyer
financial failures in recent years resulted in millions of dollars in losses
to Texas grain producers.
The establishment of the grain indemnity fund would have allowed the
TGPIB to award up to 90 percent of the financial losses suffered by
producers of corn, sorghum, soybean and wheat when grain buyers fail to
pay for grain due to a financial failure.
The TGPIB will meet on Jan. 3, 2013, in Austin, Texas, to discuss what
next steps it will take as a board.
To learn more about TGPIB and the proposed indemnity fund program, visit www.TexasGrainIndemnity.org.
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