House-passed farm bill gets high marks from specialty crop groups
House-passed farm bill gets high marks from specialty crop groups
WASHINGTON -- Specialty crop producers across the country praised the House of Representatives for passing a farm bill flush with more than $1.6 billion for specialty crop programs.
But opponents called it a business-as-usual extension of the 2002 farm bill loaded down with costly farmer subsidies and in danger of being picked apart in the Senate. Despite a veto threat by President Bush, who opposes the size of government subsidies, the House passed the five-year, $286 billion bill on July 27.
"This is truly an historic moment for our country and industry," said Western Growers Association President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Nassif.
The bill would expand the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Fruit & Vegetable Snack Program to all 50 states, boost trade assistance and market access programs, expand detection and mitigation efforts to combat pests and diseases, invest more money in research and development, and expand the state specialty crop competitiveness projects in all 50 states, said WGA.
"The funding boost this farm bill will give citrus greening research programs offers hope that we can unearth a scientific solution to the insidious disease, which is threatening the very foundation of our $9 billion industry," Michael Sparks, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual, said in a statement. "Research is already in the pipeline, and it is essential that it continues unabated. We will continue to work hard in the coming months to ensure the U.S. Senate passes a similar version of this bill."
"Congress has recognized the importance to our economy of specialty crops, which make up 50 percent of all cash receipts," Florida Agriculture & Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson said in a statement. "Given that Florida is the second-largest producer of specialty crops in the country, clearly we are extremely pleased with the results."
"What is most meaningful to Florida's nursery industry is the farm bill's landmark and welcome emphasis on specialty crop research, pests and diseases, risk management, and conservation," Ben Bolusky, executive vice president of the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association, said in a statement.
On the other coast, Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) said that Californians should be especially excited about the bill. "This farm bill moves policy toward California, a state that has become an agricultural powerhouse with very little help from the federal government.
"The good news for farmers is the increase in market share for specialty crops like lettuce, artichokes and broccoli," Mr. Farr continued. "This means there will be greater opportunities for healthier foods to reach our schools, centers for health and urban communities that too often rely on unhealthy, processed foods.
"I want to make special note of the $25 million in mandatory spending for produce food-safety grants included in this bill," added Rep. Farr. "As ground zero for the E. coli outbreak last year, the Central Coast understands all too well what happens when the food system breaks down. This investment in mandatory research will help to provide us with the necessary knowledge and understanding so we never have to go through this kind of outbreak again."
Organic producers also would benefit from the legislation -- by $300 million -- if it were to become law. Caren Wilcox, executive director of the Organic Trade Association, said that the bill for the first time directs the Federal Crop Insurance Corp. to provide equitable crop insurance to organic producers.
"The funding for research, data collection, technical assistance for farmers and conversion and certification assistance, plus the insurance measures, are significant for the organic industry and will help organic producers continue to meet the growing demand by consumers for organic products," Ms. Wilcox said.
But USA Today criticized House Democrats for botching an opportunity to wean farmers from subsidies that "pay farmers to overproduce, help drive up the cost of farmland, drive away smaller farmers and make the United States vulnerable to international trade sanctions."
The House bill includes new restrictions on federal subsidies -- a $1 million cap -- for wealthy farmers, but the restrictions may not be enough for the Senate, which is expected to begin considering its version of the farm bill in September.
There are also concerns about the House Agriculture Committee's decision to use a tax loophole to help finance the $4 billion in nutrition programs.
"We recognize, however, that there is still a lot of work to be done on this issue," said Mr. Nassif of Western Growers Association. "It's now time for the Senate to build on the efforts of the House."
The current farm bill expires next month.
But opponents called it a business-as-usual extension of the 2002 farm bill loaded down with costly farmer subsidies and in danger of being picked apart in the Senate. Despite a veto threat by President Bush, who opposes the size of government subsidies, the House passed the five-year, $286 billion bill on July 27.
"This is truly an historic moment for our country and industry," said Western Growers Association President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Nassif.
The bill would expand the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Fruit & Vegetable Snack Program to all 50 states, boost trade assistance and market access programs, expand detection and mitigation efforts to combat pests and diseases, invest more money in research and development, and expand the state specialty crop competitiveness projects in all 50 states, said WGA.
"The funding boost this farm bill will give citrus greening research programs offers hope that we can unearth a scientific solution to the insidious disease, which is threatening the very foundation of our $9 billion industry," Michael Sparks, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual, said in a statement. "Research is already in the pipeline, and it is essential that it continues unabated. We will continue to work hard in the coming months to ensure the U.S. Senate passes a similar version of this bill."
"Congress has recognized the importance to our economy of specialty crops, which make up 50 percent of all cash receipts," Florida Agriculture & Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson said in a statement. "Given that Florida is the second-largest producer of specialty crops in the country, clearly we are extremely pleased with the results."
"What is most meaningful to Florida's nursery industry is the farm bill's landmark and welcome emphasis on specialty crop research, pests and diseases, risk management, and conservation," Ben Bolusky, executive vice president of the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association, said in a statement.
On the other coast, Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) said that Californians should be especially excited about the bill. "This farm bill moves policy toward California, a state that has become an agricultural powerhouse with very little help from the federal government.
"The good news for farmers is the increase in market share for specialty crops like lettuce, artichokes and broccoli," Mr. Farr continued. "This means there will be greater opportunities for healthier foods to reach our schools, centers for health and urban communities that too often rely on unhealthy, processed foods.
"I want to make special note of the $25 million in mandatory spending for produce food-safety grants included in this bill," added Rep. Farr. "As ground zero for the E. coli outbreak last year, the Central Coast understands all too well what happens when the food system breaks down. This investment in mandatory research will help to provide us with the necessary knowledge and understanding so we never have to go through this kind of outbreak again."
Organic producers also would benefit from the legislation -- by $300 million -- if it were to become law. Caren Wilcox, executive director of the Organic Trade Association, said that the bill for the first time directs the Federal Crop Insurance Corp. to provide equitable crop insurance to organic producers.
"The funding for research, data collection, technical assistance for farmers and conversion and certification assistance, plus the insurance measures, are significant for the organic industry and will help organic producers continue to meet the growing demand by consumers for organic products," Ms. Wilcox said.
But USA Today criticized House Democrats for botching an opportunity to wean farmers from subsidies that "pay farmers to overproduce, help drive up the cost of farmland, drive away smaller farmers and make the United States vulnerable to international trade sanctions."
The House bill includes new restrictions on federal subsidies -- a $1 million cap -- for wealthy farmers, but the restrictions may not be enough for the Senate, which is expected to begin considering its version of the farm bill in September.
There are also concerns about the House Agriculture Committee's decision to use a tax loophole to help finance the $4 billion in nutrition programs.
"We recognize, however, that there is still a lot of work to be done on this issue," said Mr. Nassif of Western Growers Association. "It's now time for the Senate to build on the efforts of the House."
The current farm bill expires next month.
