Trump announces $16B direct aid to US farmers

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that as part of a 19 billion dollar coronavirus program, the federal government would be paying 16 billion dollars directly to farmers and ranchers.

In announcing the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, the president said it was to ensure the safety of the food supply chain.

"We fought hard for this," he said. "These payments will compensate farmers for losses related to the global pandemic caused by China."

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said the funds announced today would not be sent to farmers and ranchers who have had to euthanize livestock because of problems with the food supply.

"But there will be help coming through NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) over the euthanasia and disposal, " Perdue said, after more information had been collected.

In response to a reporter's question about the safety of workers at meat packing plants, the president said there was a report "that they're cleaner than they've ever been," and that more meat packing plants were coming on line.