WASHINGTON (July 25) -- The Senate Agriculture Committee late Wednesday approved funding for farmers hit by army worm infestations as part of a national farm disaster relief emergency farm bill, according to Sen. Patrick Leahy, a key sponsor of the provision.

Leahy, former chairman of the Agriculture Committee, and allies from other states hurt by the caterpillar’s onslaught, added the $25 million in compensation for damages caused by army worms to the $7.5 billion Emergency Agriculture Assistance Act of 2001, which the committee passed by a vote of 12-9. The bill will now go to the Senate floor for a full vote. Sen. Jim Jeffords also supported the provision and helped Leahy build the coalition that supported the measure.

"These voracious worms have wreaked havoc on Vermont farms. This relief is intended to help out the farmers who have been hurt by the worm’s sneak attack," said Leahy. "We will continue working with the other senators to ensure our farmers get some help to recover."

An outbreak of army worms has been particularly devastating in the Northeast this year, with some farmers reporting losses of more than 40 percent of feed crop for the winter. Almost every Vermont county has been affected by the insect in the past few weeks. Distribution of funds, if the bill is enacted, will depend upon assessments of the extent of the damages in the states affected.

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