RMA Launches Oversight Initiative

Risk Management Agency Program Announcement

Contact: Eric Edgington (202) 690-2539
Eric_Edgington@wdc.usda.gov

Washington, DC, January 18, 2001 -- Ken Ackerman, Administrator of the Risk Management Agency (RMA), announced that RMA will spend $2.25 million in fiscal year 2001 to provide anti-fraud and loss adjustment training to about 2,500 county and state Farm Service Agency (FSA) personnel.

Employees at FSA county offices will be trained in loss adjustment procedures, while FSA state office employees will get anti-fraud training provided by USDA's Office of the Inspector General and local U.S. Attorney offices.

"This partnership with the FSA offices will provide farmers with more protection from higher premiums caused by abuse or fraudulent claims," said Ackerman. "Further, any fraud or abuse discovered by FSA will be addressed within days."

Besides the joint oversight initiative, RMA is contracting for the development of computer systems that will help identify potential abuse; establishing a new investigatory unit; and having FSA review rates, policies, and yields before they are distributed to help ensure a sound program.