5/5/2011
Current West Virginia trout producers who suffered from high feed prices in 2009 may be eligible for economic assistance under a recently approved program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) with $11,829 to compensate fish farmers. WVDA’s Regulatory and Environmental Affairs Division (READ) has already mailed packets and made follow-up calls to 18 known trout producers in the state.
Eligible producers must show that their 2009 feed costs represented at least 25 percent of their total input cost, and they must have experienced at least a 25 percent increase in feed costs above the five-year state average (2003-2007).
Any questions about the program should be addressed to Herma Johnson, Director of Regulatory and Environmental Affairs Division, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV 25305, e-mail
hjohnson@wvda.us, telephone 304-558-2227 or fax 304-558-3594. Deadline for application is June 1, 2011.
Contact Information
Buddy Davidson, Communications Officer
304-558-3708; 304-541-5932 (cell)