(CNN) Debt relief payments to farmers of color from the US Department of Agriculture were blocked nationwide Wednesday by a federal judge in Florida, the second halt on the payments as push back mounts against the assistance that some White farmers say is racially discriminatory. It allocates $4 billion toward debt relief and direct payments of up to 120% of a "socially disadvantaged" farmer or rancher's outstanding debt as of January 1, 2021. Howard's decision is the latest legal blow to farmers of color who were set to receive the debt relief assistance this month. There are at least four other lawsuits by White farmers challenging the USDA debt relief program, including in Texas, Tennessee, Wyoming and Illinois. "This decision records in present time just how bad race relations are between Black and White farmers in America."

Source: CNN June 24, 2021 15:22 UTC