National Black Farmers Association Statement on President Biden's Failure To Execute All-Inclusive Farm Foreclosure Moratorium



BOYDTON, Va., /PRNewswire/ -- President Biden and his team in the White House must take personal responsibility for this new Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) now law. The President's legacy - and the future of thousands of Black, Native American and other farmers of color - hangs in the balance. Once again, I urge President Biden to honor his commitments to us and those thousands of Black, Native American and other farmers of color who are being forced into bankruptcy and foreclosure. I will be in Sumpter, SC at a Black Farmer foreclosure hearing on October 4, 2022. Where will the elected officials be that repealed the American Rescue Plan Act, Section 1005, Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color that provided 120% debt relief for this farmer and others?

I'm calling on President Biden to issue an all-inclusive moratorium protecting all USDA and private agricultural loans from farm foreclosures TODAY." John Boyd, Jr., President, National Black Farmers Association

"President Biden must move quickly to protect Black Farmers now that he has repealed promised debt relief for Black farmers provided in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 because white farmers were claiming reverse discrimination. We have days, not weeks and months, to save many Black, Native American and other farmers of color from ruin. Black farmers are facing record costs for inputs like fuel and fertilizer and soaring land costs while battling droughts and extreme heat. We cannot and will not trust a President who doesn't honor his commitments to have a sit-down meeting with me and breaks his promises during a 40-year record high cost of inputs and food crisis facing America," stated Boyd.

"President Biden must move quickly to protect Black Farmers now that he has repealed promised debt relief for Black farmers provided in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 because white farmers were claiming reverse discrimination. We have days, not weeks and months, to save many Black, Native American and other farmers of color from ruin. Black farmers are facing record costs for inputs like fuel and fertilizer and soaring land costs while battling droughts and extreme heat. We cannot and will not trust a President who doesn't honor his commitments to have a sit-down meeting with me and breaks his promises during a 40-year record high cost of inputs and food crisis facing America," stated Boyd.

On Wednesday, September 15, 2022, Boyd met with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. During this meeting, they discussed an all-inclusive presidential farm foreclosure moratorium and concerns for oversight of USDA's sole authority to define "expediting the debt relief and financial assistance in the IRA signed into law by President Biden on August 16, 2022. Senator Schumer had agreed to meet with Boyd during an interview on the Joe Madison, Black Eagle show.

"Some farmers could face foreclosure on USDA loans as soon as this fall, so the department may begin providing some newly authorized debt relief through a phased-in approach in order to address the immediate need for help, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says."

Source: National Black Farmers Association news release