The Government Accounting Office says an investigation into the USDA’s Market Facilitation Program will begin soon.

Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow wrote to the Government Accountability Office asking the Comptroller General to investigate the program.  Stabenow questions if the MFP model for payments accurately reflected trade damages felt by farmers.  She also questions if higher payment limits increased payments to large operations.

The USDA’s Inspector General Phyllis Fong told a House Appropriations Subcommittee meeting on February 11th her office will also be reviewing the program’s design, implementation, and questions from producers.

Several lawmakers including Senator Stabenow, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, Representative Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, and Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut also want the investigation to look at the Brazilian meat processor JBS, which reportedly received more than 67-million dollars through the Market Facilitation Program.