Press Releases
Anna Cherry (301) 734-7253
Larry Hawkins (940) 564-4034
USDA ANNOUNCES KARNAL BUNT COMPENSATION
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2001 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a
compensation plan for those affected by Karnal bunt. Growers, handlers, seed companies, owners
of grain storage facilities, flour millers, and participants in the National Karnal Bunt Survey who
incurred losses and expenses because of Karnal bunt will be covered by the plan. The plan
includes compensation for the 1999-2000 crop season, the 2000-2001 crop season, and future
years.
The levels of compensation for those affected by Karnal bunt vary.
-- For positive-testing wheat grown in areas already regulated for Karnal bunt before the
1999-2000 crop was planted, the compensation for positive grain or seed is $0.60 per
bushel.
-- Positive-testing wheat grown in an area in the first regulated crop season, i.e., an area that
became regulated for Karnal bunt after the 1999-2000 crop was planted, will be
compensated at a rate not to exceed $1.80 per bushel. This includes all newly regulated
areas in Texas.
-- However, those with wheat grown in areas where an extraordinary emergency is declared,
an area regulated for Karnal bunt after the crop was planted, or for which an emergency
action notification was issued after the crop was planted or at the time it was sold will still
be eligible for compensation.
In June of this year, after bunted kernels were confirmed in grain, USDA's Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service immediately added Archer, Baylor, Throckmorten, and Young
counties in Texas to the areas regulated for Karnal bunt.
To date, multiple public meetings have been held in the regulated areas to brief producers,
grain handlers, and harvesters on USDAÇs actions to contain and prevent the spread of Karnal
bunt. Because these initiatives have generated interest throughout the United States, USDA has
created a task force of agricultural cooperators to coordinate program activities and enhance
communications. For industry and the general public, a Karnal bunt Web site is accessible at
www.aphis.usda.gov.
Karnal bunt is caused by the smut fungus Tilletia indica. It is spread by spores and
through the movement of infected or contaminated seed. While the fungus does not threaten
human health, flour made from heavily infected wheat has an unpleasant odor and taste,
jeopardizing its marketability. The disease also reduces crop yields.
Karnal bunt was first detected in Arizona in 1996. Later that same year, the fungus was
also detected in Texas and California.
Details regarding where, when, and how to apply for compensation will be announced by
USDA in the near future.
This final rule is scheduled for publication in the Aug. 6 Federal Register and becomes
effective upon publication. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related
information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on
APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html
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