12 



As far as a particular set of changes to flatten out, as you talk 

 about it, I am not aware that they have necessarily been put to- 

 gether at this point. 



Mr. LEWIS. One last question, Madam Chairman. Why has it 

 taken so long to release the ECP funding for nursery fences? 



Mr. Weber. It is my understanding that we have released those 

 funds now. I will admit they have only been released in the last 

 few days. One of the things that we run into when those funds are 

 reauthorized, we almost always wait for OMB to release those 

 funds. That takes a period of time. I might have Mr. Stephenson 

 respond further with regard to the length of time it has taken. 



Mr. Stephenson. Mr. Lewis, I think we released the funds about 

 November 5 to Florida. One of the concerns that we had was, given 

 the workload in the county, we wanted to make sure that they had 

 an opportunity to meet some of their deadlines with respect to com- 

 modity disaster and obligating funds under the emergency con- 

 servation program prior to the end of the fiscal year. 



That is one of the primary reasons that we did not immediately 

 release the money. It was released about November 5. 



Mr. Lewis. I hope so. Our county folks have not received notifica- 

 tion that funds have been released. 



Thank you, Madam Chairman. 



Mrs. Thurman. Mr. Minge. 



Mr. Minge. I have talked to you several times about the disaster 

 in the Midwest. I am interested in comparison whether the types 

 of losses experienced in Hawaii are losses customarily insured 

 against or is insurance unavailable for that type of loss? 



Mr. Weber. I think for the most part insurance is not available 

 for that type of loss. 



Mr. MlNGE. Neither Federal crop insurance or insurance in the 

 private sector? 



Mr. Weber. I don't know about private insurance. 



Mrs. Mink. Part of my testimony was saying that if we are going 

 to move in some direction, that at least at the minimum this crop 

 insurance be made available to the specialty crops. 



Mr. Minge. Is anything available to the private sector? 



Mrs. Mink. None that I am aware of except the large plantation 

 sugar companies. I think they did receive some relief through the 

 insurance companies, but not for the type of diversified farmer we 

 are here to speak for today. 



Mr. Minge. The second question is whether or not the ceilings 

 on payments apply the same way with these crops as they do with 

 other crops that are covered by the disaster program. 



Mr. Weber. The same payment limitations do apply, $100,000 

 per producer. However, in the case of Hawaii and Florida as well 

 as all States, you have the factor of 50 percent. So therefore there 

 was no more than a $50,000 payment. 



Mr. MlNGE. Is there a calculation of yield or productivity of these 

 particular plants that is made in the same way that it is for grains 

 and other things covered by the other program? 



Mr. Weber. That is true with regard to the tree crops we do use 

 a yield per acre or per unit, whatever that might be. I think it is 

 generally per acre. As far as some of the ornamental nursery crops, 

 we base that on container size. 



