MANAGERS BULLETIN: MGR20-006




1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Stop 0801
Washington, DC  20250-0801

Date

March 27, 2020

To:

All Approved Insurance Providers
All Risk Management Agency Field Offices
All Other Interested Parties

From:

Martin R. Barbre, Administrator /s/ Martin R. Barbre    3/27/2020

Subject:

COVID-19 and Impact on Production Reporting Date (PRD) for Crops Insured Under the Common Crop Insurance Policy, Basic Provisions
Background

Many state and local governments have issued “stay at home” orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which may preclude agents from meeting with policyholders to obtain their production reports and associated signature required for production reporting. In the absence of “stay at home” orders, agents and policyholders may be unable to meet in person due to concerns of spreading COVID-19.

Generally, the production reporting date (PRD) for crops insured under the Common Crop Insurance Policy, Basic Provisions (BP) is the earlier of the acreage reporting date (ARD) or 45 days after the cancellation date.

The Risk Management Agency (RMA) recognizes the challenges the crop insurance industry and America’s farmers and ranchers face and will provide flexibility that supports the health and safety of all parties, while also ensuring the Federal crop insurance program continues to serve as a vital risk management tool.

Action

For the 2019 and 2020 crop year, Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) are authorized to accept production reports through the earlier of the ARD or 30 days after the applicable PRD for crops insured under the BP with a PRD of March 15, 2020, or later.

Insureds who do not provide an acceptable production report by the earlier of the ARD or 30 days after the PRD, will be considered to have failed to comply with the requirements of section 3(f) of the BP. Failure to provide a production report by the due date may result in assigned yields and ineligibility for optional units.

 

DISPOSAL DATE:
December 31, 2020

USDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider