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 April 30, 2009 - Sparks Comments on Black Farmers’ Settlement |
April 30, 2009 - Sparks Comments on Black Farmers’ Settlement
MONTGOMERY - Commissioner Ron Sparks says that promises made by federal lawmakers to help black farmers receive their settlements from a 1996 discrimination lawsuit with USDA may be hard for them to keep in the near future. Sparks says that he had serious concerns when the settlement amount of $100 million was initially proposed in the Farm Bill because it would not be close to enough to compensate the estimated 50,000-plus black farmers for their settlement. “First, the numbers don’t add up,” said Sparks. “There are an estimated 50,000 black farmers nationwide who might be eligible for this settlement. According to the settlement, they can be compensated for up to $50,000 each. How can $100 million cover these payments? How will they decide who gets paid and who doesn’t? The federal government needs to find a way to fund this settlement, pay these farmers, and move on to other issues.” Sparks says that the 2010 budget does not propose any appropriations for the $100 million, which means that any payouts to farmers would not come until 2011 at the earliest. The delay in receiving payment is further exacerbated by requiring that farmers file their claim in a federal court in Washington, DC. “These black farmers that are owed this money shouldn’t have to continuously jump through hoops. At this rate, it could be years before they see any of the money,” added Sparks.
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