WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2012— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it will begin issuing Tobacco Transition Payment Program (TTPP) payments to quota holders and producers. Quota holders and producers can enter into successor-in-interest contracts beginning Jan. 17, 2012, which would enable them to receive lump-sum payments from private entities by selling the remaining two TTPP payments.

A total of approximately $7.2 billion will have been paid to tobacco quota holders and producers with this eighth round of payments. The payments announced today represent more than $950 million. The TTPP marks the end of the federal tobacco marketing quota and price support loan programs in place since the Great Depression. The Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act, enacted in October 2004, established this program.

The TTPP is funded by assessments on tobacco product importers and manufacturers. The program, begun in 2005, ends in 2014, and provides 10 equal annual payments to quota holders and producers.

USDA does not make lump sum TTPP payments to quota holders and producers. However, quota holders and producers can receive lump sum payments by selling their interest to a third party through “successor-in-interest” contracts. Since 2005, third parties bought more than 170,000 TTPP contracts worth more than $3 billion.

For more information on the Tobacco Transition Payment Program, visit the www.fsa.usda.gov/tobacco.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).