House panel finds $1.6 billion for specialty crops in farm bill
House panel finds $1.6 billion for specialty crops in farm bill
WASHINGTON -- What a difference a week can make for specialty crop producers.
Facing a tight budget, the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee was ready to pass a 2007 farm bill on July 19 with few mandatory dollars tied to specialty crops and an eerie resemblance to the 2002 farm bill.
But now the committee is poised to pass a bill with $1.6 billion for block grants, food-safety initiatives, research, conservation and nutrition programs. The bill was still being debated in the House Agriculture Committee at press time.
"There are some mandatory dollars [in the bill] for specialty crops that are pretty darn good," said Mike Stuart, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, based in Maitland. "This is first step in a long walk."
Mr. Stuart praised Rep Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance and leaders in the House Agriculture Committee for helping to find funding for specialty crop programs.
"We're very happy we didn't have to extend the debate to the House floor," said Robert Guenther of United Fresh Produce Association. "We're happy the committee has recognized specialty crops."
"I would like to report that I met with the chairman today and am pleased with his strong commitment to specialty crops in the manager's amendment," Rep. Cardoza said at the first day of the three-day farm bill markup.
"Areas of this country that grow specialty crops have not received their fair share of funding under previous farm bills," he said. "The manager's amendment will finally give the specialty crop industry the support it deserves."
"It's a $1 billion improvement," said Mr. Guenther, who added that the amendments more than doubled the $680 million earmarked for specialty crop programs in the first draft of the 2007 farm bill.
"This is a huge win for specialty crop producers in California and across the nation," said a spokesman for Rep. Cardoza.
Rep. Cardoza told reporters that he would vote against the bill on the House floor if it did not include specialty crop funding. He also enlisted the help of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who told House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) she wanted to see significant reforms in the 2007 farm bill.
Without reforms, the bill would be rewritten on the House floor, and no chairman wants that, said the aide for Rep. Cardoza.
Mr. Guenther also praised Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA) and John Salazar (D-CO) for pushing for the funding changes.
Among the changes in the latest package of new amendments are an additional $215 million over five years for specialty crop research initiatives; $25 million more for fresh-cut produce safety grants; $100 million more for specialty crop block grants; and another $90 million to expand the fresh fruit and vegetable program that promotes healthy eating in schools.
New funds to pay for the changes came from reforms to the crop insurance program and reductions in oil subsidies. After the bill is marked up on July 19, the five-year farm bill may reach the House floor before the August recess.
"We're not done yet," said Mr. Guenther. "We're still pushing in the Senate to see if we can improve it."
Facing a tight budget, the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee was ready to pass a 2007 farm bill on July 19 with few mandatory dollars tied to specialty crops and an eerie resemblance to the 2002 farm bill.
But now the committee is poised to pass a bill with $1.6 billion for block grants, food-safety initiatives, research, conservation and nutrition programs. The bill was still being debated in the House Agriculture Committee at press time.
"There are some mandatory dollars [in the bill] for specialty crops that are pretty darn good," said Mike Stuart, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, based in Maitland. "This is first step in a long walk."
Mr. Stuart praised Rep Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance and leaders in the House Agriculture Committee for helping to find funding for specialty crop programs.
"We're very happy we didn't have to extend the debate to the House floor," said Robert Guenther of United Fresh Produce Association. "We're happy the committee has recognized specialty crops."
"I would like to report that I met with the chairman today and am pleased with his strong commitment to specialty crops in the manager's amendment," Rep. Cardoza said at the first day of the three-day farm bill markup.
"Areas of this country that grow specialty crops have not received their fair share of funding under previous farm bills," he said. "The manager's amendment will finally give the specialty crop industry the support it deserves."
"It's a $1 billion improvement," said Mr. Guenther, who added that the amendments more than doubled the $680 million earmarked for specialty crop programs in the first draft of the 2007 farm bill.
"This is a huge win for specialty crop producers in California and across the nation," said a spokesman for Rep. Cardoza.
Rep. Cardoza told reporters that he would vote against the bill on the House floor if it did not include specialty crop funding. He also enlisted the help of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who told House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) she wanted to see significant reforms in the 2007 farm bill.
Without reforms, the bill would be rewritten on the House floor, and no chairman wants that, said the aide for Rep. Cardoza.
Mr. Guenther also praised Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA) and John Salazar (D-CO) for pushing for the funding changes.
Among the changes in the latest package of new amendments are an additional $215 million over five years for specialty crop research initiatives; $25 million more for fresh-cut produce safety grants; $100 million more for specialty crop block grants; and another $90 million to expand the fresh fruit and vegetable program that promotes healthy eating in schools.
New funds to pay for the changes came from reforms to the crop insurance program and reductions in oil subsidies. After the bill is marked up on July 19, the five-year farm bill may reach the House floor before the August recess.
"We're not done yet," said Mr. Guenther. "We're still pushing in the Senate to see if we can improve it."
