California specialty crops hearing slated for Aug. 26
California specialty crops hearing slated for Aug. 26
WASHINGTON -- Issues facing the California specialty crops industry will be showcased Aug. 26 when Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) takes lawmakers with a congressional subcommittee to his district for a field hearing.
The House Agriculture Subcommittee wants to hear about the successes and failures experienced under the federal grants program, along with its unique challenges, such as trade issues, pest and disease problems, and conservation difficulties.
California is by far the largest specialty crop-producing state in the nation, and California members of the House Agriculture Livestock & Horticulture Subcommittee asked the leadership to hold the field hearing there to review the program.
"The hearing presents a great opportunity for the produce industry to highlight a variety of issues, policies and programs that increase its competitiveness in the global marketplace, increase consumption and address agricultural labor," said Keira Franz, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association's director of legislative affairs. The group is expected to have a representative testify at the upcoming hearing.
"The produce industry can also use this opportunity to educate the visiting members of Congress on production operations including field research, planting, harvesting and food-safety programs, she said.
Immediately following the Lodi, CA, hearing, the congressional panel plans to tour facilities that represent production, packing and processing segments of the industry to better understand the business.
Congressional staff said that California commodity group witnesses should steer clear of their wish list for the next farm bill. The fruit and vegetable industry will get a chance to testify on the farm bill in the fall when hearings begin in full committee.
But this hearing may come at an opportune time since lawmakers are still deciding the funding levels for the newly approved Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act.
The produce industry is still waiting for the full Senate to take action on the agricultural spending bill. The Senate Appropriations Committee did not include funding for the year-old specialty crops law, but the House approved $7 million in new funding.
With such a financially strapped economic climate on Capitol Hill, any new money is considered a victory, said Kathy Means of the Produce Marketing Association.
It's a drop in the bucket, however, as the law was authorized for $54.5 million annually for five years to enhance the competitiveness of fresh produce, both domestically and internationally.
The House Agriculture Subcommittee wants to hear about the successes and failures experienced under the federal grants program, along with its unique challenges, such as trade issues, pest and disease problems, and conservation difficulties.
California is by far the largest specialty crop-producing state in the nation, and California members of the House Agriculture Livestock & Horticulture Subcommittee asked the leadership to hold the field hearing there to review the program.
"The hearing presents a great opportunity for the produce industry to highlight a variety of issues, policies and programs that increase its competitiveness in the global marketplace, increase consumption and address agricultural labor," said Keira Franz, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association's director of legislative affairs. The group is expected to have a representative testify at the upcoming hearing.
"The produce industry can also use this opportunity to educate the visiting members of Congress on production operations including field research, planting, harvesting and food-safety programs, she said.
Immediately following the Lodi, CA, hearing, the congressional panel plans to tour facilities that represent production, packing and processing segments of the industry to better understand the business.
Congressional staff said that California commodity group witnesses should steer clear of their wish list for the next farm bill. The fruit and vegetable industry will get a chance to testify on the farm bill in the fall when hearings begin in full committee.
But this hearing may come at an opportune time since lawmakers are still deciding the funding levels for the newly approved Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act.
The produce industry is still waiting for the full Senate to take action on the agricultural spending bill. The Senate Appropriations Committee did not include funding for the year-old specialty crops law, but the House approved $7 million in new funding.
With such a financially strapped economic climate on Capitol Hill, any new money is considered a victory, said Kathy Means of the Produce Marketing Association.
It's a drop in the bucket, however, as the law was authorized for $54.5 million annually for five years to enhance the competitiveness of fresh produce, both domestically and internationally.
