AG Sec Vilsack Urges Action On Pigford Settlement

 WASHINGTON  – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has released the following statement on the need for Congressional action to fund the Pigford II settlement agreement:

“Black farmers throughout the country unfortunately faced discrimination in past decades when trying to obtain services from USDA. This discrimination is well-documented, the courts have affirmed this discrimination, and Congress has twice acknowledged the need to settle with those who have suffered from this discrimination. It is now time for Congress to pass the funding so the victims of this discrimination can get the opportunity to receive the compensation that they are due.