Specialty crop producers push EAT Healthy America Act
Specialty crop producers push EAT Healthy America Act
WASHINGTON -- More than 70 commodity groups say the next farm bill should include provisions of the Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act that would for the first time give specialty crop producers a higher profile in an agriculture policy dominated by subsidized crops.
While farm policy experts say that major agricultural policy changes are inevitable in the 2007 farm bill, especially as programs get squeezed by trade disputes and economic downturns, specialty crop producers are hoping to be part of the solution.
With the large spinach outbreak as a backdrop, Reps. Richard Pombo (R-CA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), John Salazar (D-CO) and Adam Putnam (R-FL) introduced the Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act, a long wish list penned by more than 70 specialty crop producers and groups eyeing the upcoming farm bill debate.
"The specialty crop industry has largely avoided direct financial support in the past and will continue this course into the future," according to a Sept. 26 letter from the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a group that gathered last May to hammer out a specialty crop title to the farm bill.
"Nonetheless, a multitude of challenges bearing down on this industry make it imperative that federal farm policy lend a hand to specialty crops so that the needs of all American agriculture are met equitably."
The bill includes a wide range of helping hands for specialty crop producers, such as flexible block grants, disaster assistance, more funds for international marketing, programs for fighting pest and disease threats, expanded nutrition and conservation programs, and additional funds for research into specialty crop production to improve competitiveness.
Many of the provisions were laid out at a Sept. 26 House Agriculture subcommittee hearing by National Potato Council President Jim Wysocki, who runs a potato farming and packing operation in Wisconsin.
"Given the diverse nature of this industry, I appreciate your efforts to come together and agree on some consensus policy recommendations," said Robin Hayes (R-NC), chairperson of the subcommittee on livestock and horticulture. "I recognize there may be a few differences of opinion, but by and large, you have worked to become a more united voice."
"This bill is a comprehensive farm bill package providing the necessary framework to enhance the competitiveness of the specialty crop industry and increase consumer consumption of fruits and vegetables," Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy at United Fresh Produce Association, said at a Sept. 27 press conference.
While farm policy experts say that major agricultural policy changes are inevitable in the 2007 farm bill, especially as programs get squeezed by trade disputes and economic downturns, specialty crop producers are hoping to be part of the solution.
With the large spinach outbreak as a backdrop, Reps. Richard Pombo (R-CA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), John Salazar (D-CO) and Adam Putnam (R-FL) introduced the Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act, a long wish list penned by more than 70 specialty crop producers and groups eyeing the upcoming farm bill debate.
"The specialty crop industry has largely avoided direct financial support in the past and will continue this course into the future," according to a Sept. 26 letter from the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a group that gathered last May to hammer out a specialty crop title to the farm bill.
"Nonetheless, a multitude of challenges bearing down on this industry make it imperative that federal farm policy lend a hand to specialty crops so that the needs of all American agriculture are met equitably."
The bill includes a wide range of helping hands for specialty crop producers, such as flexible block grants, disaster assistance, more funds for international marketing, programs for fighting pest and disease threats, expanded nutrition and conservation programs, and additional funds for research into specialty crop production to improve competitiveness.
Many of the provisions were laid out at a Sept. 26 House Agriculture subcommittee hearing by National Potato Council President Jim Wysocki, who runs a potato farming and packing operation in Wisconsin.
"Given the diverse nature of this industry, I appreciate your efforts to come together and agree on some consensus policy recommendations," said Robin Hayes (R-NC), chairperson of the subcommittee on livestock and horticulture. "I recognize there may be a few differences of opinion, but by and large, you have worked to become a more united voice."
"This bill is a comprehensive farm bill package providing the necessary framework to enhance the competitiveness of the specialty crop industry and increase consumer consumption of fruits and vegetables," Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy at United Fresh Produce Association, said at a Sept. 27 press conference.
