On May 15, 2019, the Risk Management Agency (RMA) released the Hybrid Vegetable Seed Insurance Program that had been approved by the FCIC Board of Directors on March 27, 2019. For the 2020 crop year, only hybrid carrot seed is covered in Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, and Wasco counties in Oregon and Yakima county in Washington. In addition to the Product Management Bulletin PM-19-, RMA also released the Hybrid Vegetable Seed Crop Provisions (https://www.rma.usda.gov/-/media/RMAweb/Policies/Hybrid-Vegetable-Seed/2020/Hybrid-Vegetable-Seed-Crop-Provision-20-HVS-0066.ashx), the Hybrid Vegetable Seed Crop Insurance Standards Handbook(https://www.rma.usda.gov/-/media/RMAweb/Handbooks/Privately-Developed-Products—20000/Hybrid-Vegetable-Seed/2020-20500U-Hybrid-Vegetable-Seed-Insurance-Standards.ashx), the Hybrid Vegetable Seed Loss Adjustment Standards Handbook(https://www.rma.usda.gov/-/media/RMAweb/Handbooks/Privately-Developed-Products—20000/Hybrid-Vegetable-Seed/2020-20500L-Hybrid-Vegetable-Seed-Loss-Adjustment-Standards.ashx), and the actuarial documents (https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/Policy-and-Procedure/Bulletins-and-Memos/2019/Actuarial-19-019). The sales closing date is July 15, 2019. Interested producers should contact their local agent at https://www.rma.usda.gov/Information-Tools/Agent-Locator-Page.
ANALYSIS – The Hybrid Vegetable Seed policy was submitted as a submission under section 508(h) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act. While it may eventually cover additional hybrid vegetable seeds, it is only approved for carrots for the 2020 crop year.
All statements made are opinions of the author and are not intended to provide legal opinions or legal advice.