Caitlin Eannello, spokesman for the National Association of Wheat Growers, said that 63 cents per bushel of wheat subsidies was the standard for the next round of U.S. trade subsidies that the organization had been hearing about. "That's the number we've been hearing about," she told Reuters.
These standards will exceed the subsidies paid to farmers in similar aid schemes last year.
Earlier this month, President Trump instructed the Department of Agriculture to develop a new farmer assistance program as the 10-month-long trade war between China and the United States warmed and tariffs on imports were raised.
Agriculture Minister Perdue said last week that the new aid package could reach $15 billion to $20 billion, more than the $12 billion subsidies given to farmers last year. Sources told Reuters that most of them may be issued directly.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture said details of the aid plan would be released soon, but did not comment on the subsidy criteria mentioned in the report. A government lobby source said the plan could be announced this week.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture added that aid standards were set to avoid affecting planting decisions. In an e-mail comment to Reuters, she said, "Farmers should continue to make planting and production decisions based on current market signals, rather than on some expectations of trade subsidy schemes."
However, it is believed that the aid program will encourage farmers to increase soybean cultivation when soybean supply has reached a record level.
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