New England lobstermen get aid; none for LI

Lobstermen from five New England states — but not their New York counterparts — were made eligible beginning last month for $12,000 in federal grants and free job training, according to a U.S. Agriculture Department decision.

The agency's Foreign Agricultural Service administrator certified petitions from the  states saying they were harmed by foreign competitors.

Lobstermen from  Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire were cleared to apply for the money and training.

Members of the Long Island Sound Lobstermen's Association could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

The Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers Program "provides technical training and cash benefits to eligible U.S. producers and fishermen of raw agricultural commodities whose crops or catch have been adversely affected by imports of like or directly competitive commodities."

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