House introduces farm bill wish list for specialty crop producers
House introduces farm bill wish list for specialty crop producers
WASHINGTON -- House lawmakers have introduced a bill the specialty crop industry hopes will become the blueprint for Congress to follow in helping producers in the 2007 farm bill.
The Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act, or EAT Healthy America Act, includes a lengthy list of programs for the specialty crop industry that would increase market access and place a renewed focus on nutrition, research and conservation.
"The passage of the EAT Healthy America Act would represent a huge step forward for federal farm programs," U.S. Rep Cardoza (D-CA), the lead sponsor of this year's bill, said at a March 20 press conference.
"This legislation is a comprehensive farm bill package that provides the necessary framework to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop growers throughout the nation," Western Growers Association President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Nassif said in a statement.
Groups have been united under the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance to lobby Congress on policy recommendations for the upcoming farm bill.
"The specialty crop industry deserves this attention, and it's critical that this industry's interests become a regular part of farm policy in the United States," Produce Marketing Association President Bryan Silbermann said in a statement. "Not only do the provisions in this bill help growers with production issues, they also enhance the health of Americans through nutrition and feeding programs."
Along with Rep. Cardoza, the bill was introduced this year by a group of bipartisan lawmakers interested in boosting the role of the fruit, vegetable, nut and nursery industries in the 2007 farm bill: U.S. Reps Randy Kuhl (R-NY), John Salazar (D-CO), Adam Putnam (R-FL), Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
Rep. Salazar praised the bill for giving specialty crop producers in Colorado, and many other states, equal access to vital conservation programs. "It is time for Congress to acknowledge this reality and rectify the inequities in federal farm programs."
Specifically, the bill would increase access to export markets by increasing the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program, the Market Access Program and the Block Grant Program, and by raising the profile for specialty crops within USDA, U.S. Trade Representative and other key federal agencies, said the alliance, the chief architect of the bill.
The bill would expand fruit and vegetable snack programs in schools and direct new investments in a range of research priorities. It would increase research funding and expands programs to assist in the prevention, detection, and eradication of invasive plant pests and disease.
Added to the bill this year are provisions that would transfer inspectors from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security back to the Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service to conduct border inspections. The produce industry has been critical of the quality of inspections since Congress moved quarantine checks out of APHIS.
The Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act, or EAT Healthy America Act, includes a lengthy list of programs for the specialty crop industry that would increase market access and place a renewed focus on nutrition, research and conservation.
"The passage of the EAT Healthy America Act would represent a huge step forward for federal farm programs," U.S. Rep Cardoza (D-CA), the lead sponsor of this year's bill, said at a March 20 press conference.
"This legislation is a comprehensive farm bill package that provides the necessary framework to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop growers throughout the nation," Western Growers Association President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Nassif said in a statement.
Groups have been united under the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance to lobby Congress on policy recommendations for the upcoming farm bill.
"The specialty crop industry deserves this attention, and it's critical that this industry's interests become a regular part of farm policy in the United States," Produce Marketing Association President Bryan Silbermann said in a statement. "Not only do the provisions in this bill help growers with production issues, they also enhance the health of Americans through nutrition and feeding programs."
Along with Rep. Cardoza, the bill was introduced this year by a group of bipartisan lawmakers interested in boosting the role of the fruit, vegetable, nut and nursery industries in the 2007 farm bill: U.S. Reps Randy Kuhl (R-NY), John Salazar (D-CO), Adam Putnam (R-FL), Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
Rep. Salazar praised the bill for giving specialty crop producers in Colorado, and many other states, equal access to vital conservation programs. "It is time for Congress to acknowledge this reality and rectify the inequities in federal farm programs."
Specifically, the bill would increase access to export markets by increasing the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program, the Market Access Program and the Block Grant Program, and by raising the profile for specialty crops within USDA, U.S. Trade Representative and other key federal agencies, said the alliance, the chief architect of the bill.
The bill would expand fruit and vegetable snack programs in schools and direct new investments in a range of research priorities. It would increase research funding and expands programs to assist in the prevention, detection, and eradication of invasive plant pests and disease.
Added to the bill this year are provisions that would transfer inspectors from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security back to the Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service to conduct border inspections. The produce industry has been critical of the quality of inspections since Congress moved quarantine checks out of APHIS.
