Virginia Phase II Board Announces 2004 Work Sessions

Representatives will be on hand in Southwest and Southside Virginia

RICHMOND (October 8, 2004) – The Virginia Tobacco Trust Certification Board, Inc. (Phase II) has announced the dates of its series of work sessions for tobacco growers and quota holders in regard to their 2004 Phase II payments.

With the prospective buyout of quota currently before Congress, there is an element of uncertainty in the 2004 payment process. McGuireWoods LLP, the board’s legal counsel, will be on hand at Farm Service Agency offices in Lee, Scott, Russell, Washington, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg counties to work one on one with quota holders, producers and extension agents.

If any quota holder or producer needs assistance but is unable to attend a work session, they may call the settlement trustee’s hotline at 1-800-736-7197 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. If any extension agents or offices have questions, please contact McGuireWoods attorneys Scott Oostdyk at (412) 667-7915 or Alex Slaughter at (804) 775-4346.

Phase II is the National Tobacco Grower Settlement Trust that was negotiated between the tobacco growing states and cigarette manufacturers. Almost $115 million has been distributed to more than 43,000 tobacco farmers and quota holders since 1999.

The work session schedule is as follows: