Southern Border Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act

This bill lets farmers and ranchers in certain Texas border counties get help to fix damage to their land and farming infrastructure. It tells the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program to pay producers to put conservation practices in place that repair damage and address natural resource problems. These payment contracts would last one year. It applies to specific counties along or near the southern Texas border, including places like El Paso, Hidalgo, Maverick, Starr, Webb, and others listed in the bill. The program already helps producers with technical and financial support to deal with natural resource concerns.

Key points

• Who is affected: Agricultural producers in listed Texas counties near the southern border.
• What changes: The USDA must provide payments to implement conservation practices that repair damage to farmland and farming infrastructure and address natural resource concerns or problems.
• When: Each contract for these payments lasts one year.
• Program background: EQIP provides technical and financial help to address natural resource concerns.