WASHINGTON – Sen. Susan Collins said Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is set to announce the implementation of a $100 million market-loss assistance payment program for U.S. apple growers today.

Collins and Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan, wrote a provision included in the fiscal year 2001 agriculture appropriations bill that provides $100 million in market-loss assistance to apple producers who have struggled to endure record low prices for their product.

The details of the payment program will be published in Thursday’s Federal Register, and growers will have until April 13 to submit an application for assistance. Applications will be available through area Farm Service Agency offices, and completed applications can be submitted to the FSA.

Payments are to be made on a grower’s first 1.6 million pounds of production in either 1998 or 1999. Actual payment amounts will depend on the number of growers who apply for assistance and the volume of production they report. Collins has received assurances that the funding will be available to growers within weeks of the close of the application period.

For more information, apple growers should contact their local FSA office.