CAWG Statement on Reauthorization of Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+)

NEWS RELEASE

 

SACRAMENTO, Oct. 1, 2021 – California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) President John Aguirre has issued the following statement:

 

“President Biden on Sept. 30 signed into law the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (H.R. 5305). The bill provides $10 billion for the reauthorization of the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) to cover losses caused by wildfires, droughts and other natural disasters that occurred in 2020 and 2021. Language includes harvested adulterated winegrapes and quality loss due to smoke exposure as covered losses.

 

“Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), CAWG and other industry allies worked hard to keep this critical relief funding in the package. CAWG commends the leadership and commitment of Rep. Thompson. We thank him and others in the California Congressional delegation for their continued support of California winegrape growers and other agricultural producers who suffered crop losses.”