Produce industry awaits final action on spending bill
Produce industry awaits final action on spending bill
WASHINGTON -- The Senate is expected to approve a final agriculture spending bill that would delay country-of- origin labeling for two more years, raise the profile of specialty crops and give organic producers the fix they needed to allow the organic program to go forward.
News of the COOL delay was met with immediate praise from some members of the fresh fruit and vegetable industry. The last-minute decision by a select group of House and Senate negotiators working out differences on the 2006 agriculture appopriations bill added fresh fruits and vegetables to an amendment that delayed labeling of meat products until 2008.
"We are pleased with the delay because the existing law is so untenable," said Kathy Means of the Produce Marketing Association.
But COOL supporters expressed disappointment with the latest vote. Rep. Mary Bono (R-CA), an advocate of the original labeling law, voted against the fiscal 2006 spending bill when it reached the House floor. "It is unfortunate that once again the health and safety of the American consumer has been placed on hold," she said.
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association fired off an Oct. 28 letter to its congressional delegation, warning that the latest action will "oblige Congress to reopen country-of- origin issue in the 2007 farm bill."
"In the interests of Florida's fruit and vegetable producers who support country-of-origin labeling at retail, we are concerned that labeling opponents will try to use the next farm bill to repeal origin labeling outright," said FFVA President Mike Stuart.
COOL supporters also expressed concern that the two-year delay might disable the fragile labeling compromise agreed to by a wide array of produce interests. Now without the 2006 deadline, it is unclear whether there is political will to push through a voluntary, market-driven alternative.
"I'm still optimistic" that the groups that represent a variety of companies throughout the supply chain will come back to the table to push for the compromise in Congress, said Matt McInerney of Western Growers Association, which represents California and Arizona producers. But he acknowledged that losing the sense of urgency was not a positive development in the effort to develop a voluntary program that is not punitive to retailers and growers.
The spending bill, which still must be approved by the Senate and signed by President Bush, also includes key victories for the produce industry, such as provisions that allow fruit and vegetable growers to pick up $7 million in specialty crop grants.
WGA viewed the new funding as a "landmark day" for the specialty crop industry.
"Congress recognizes our sector, and this means the momentum can move into the farm bill," said Mr. McInerney. Specialty crops producers are looking for a bigger piece of the pie in the upcoming farm bill debate.
Congressional advocates who pushed to fund the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act also praised the latest news. "This initial funding for specialty crops, which have long been overshadowed by the big commodity crops like corn, wheat, rice and sugar, will give an important boost to our vegetable and fruit growers," said California Rep. Sam Farr, whose district includes the central coast of California.
"While we weren't able to meet the full authorization level we wrote into law last year, these initial funds will help us continue to fight for future funds, as well as raise the profile of specialty crops in the next farm bill debate," said Rep. Farr. "Our fresh produce growers have succeeded on very little federal assistance, and not one penny of direct federal subsidies."
Organic producers also secured language in the latest bill to allow the current list of synthetic ingredients to be used in production and manufacturing of organic products. "Basically this now brings the current organic law back to status quo," said Robert Guenther of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association in Washington. "We are happy to have the program back on track and are glad Congress acted promptly in responding to the court's concerns. We will now work with regulators going forward to keep U.S. organic standards strong."
Thanks to the legislation, the majority of organic products currently in the marketplace can continue to carry the "USDA Organic" seal provided they meet or exceed those stringent federal standards, according to the Organic Trade Association, a group representing organic producers. "Consumers will continue to find the 'USDA Organic' products they have come to rely on, and farmers will continue to have outlets for their organic crops," according to a statement released by the group.
The spending bill also included new funds for USDA's Fruit & Vegetable Snack program and allows the department to include new states in the popular school program.
"This is an exciting opportunity to add another six states to this important school nutrition program," said Mr. Guenther. "We are continuing to see strong support for this program in Congress but most importantly in the states that participate in the snack program."
News of the COOL delay was met with immediate praise from some members of the fresh fruit and vegetable industry. The last-minute decision by a select group of House and Senate negotiators working out differences on the 2006 agriculture appopriations bill added fresh fruits and vegetables to an amendment that delayed labeling of meat products until 2008.
"We are pleased with the delay because the existing law is so untenable," said Kathy Means of the Produce Marketing Association.
But COOL supporters expressed disappointment with the latest vote. Rep. Mary Bono (R-CA), an advocate of the original labeling law, voted against the fiscal 2006 spending bill when it reached the House floor. "It is unfortunate that once again the health and safety of the American consumer has been placed on hold," she said.
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association fired off an Oct. 28 letter to its congressional delegation, warning that the latest action will "oblige Congress to reopen country-of- origin issue in the 2007 farm bill."
"In the interests of Florida's fruit and vegetable producers who support country-of-origin labeling at retail, we are concerned that labeling opponents will try to use the next farm bill to repeal origin labeling outright," said FFVA President Mike Stuart.
COOL supporters also expressed concern that the two-year delay might disable the fragile labeling compromise agreed to by a wide array of produce interests. Now without the 2006 deadline, it is unclear whether there is political will to push through a voluntary, market-driven alternative.
"I'm still optimistic" that the groups that represent a variety of companies throughout the supply chain will come back to the table to push for the compromise in Congress, said Matt McInerney of Western Growers Association, which represents California and Arizona producers. But he acknowledged that losing the sense of urgency was not a positive development in the effort to develop a voluntary program that is not punitive to retailers and growers.
The spending bill, which still must be approved by the Senate and signed by President Bush, also includes key victories for the produce industry, such as provisions that allow fruit and vegetable growers to pick up $7 million in specialty crop grants.
WGA viewed the new funding as a "landmark day" for the specialty crop industry.
"Congress recognizes our sector, and this means the momentum can move into the farm bill," said Mr. McInerney. Specialty crops producers are looking for a bigger piece of the pie in the upcoming farm bill debate.
Congressional advocates who pushed to fund the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act also praised the latest news. "This initial funding for specialty crops, which have long been overshadowed by the big commodity crops like corn, wheat, rice and sugar, will give an important boost to our vegetable and fruit growers," said California Rep. Sam Farr, whose district includes the central coast of California.
"While we weren't able to meet the full authorization level we wrote into law last year, these initial funds will help us continue to fight for future funds, as well as raise the profile of specialty crops in the next farm bill debate," said Rep. Farr. "Our fresh produce growers have succeeded on very little federal assistance, and not one penny of direct federal subsidies."
Organic producers also secured language in the latest bill to allow the current list of synthetic ingredients to be used in production and manufacturing of organic products. "Basically this now brings the current organic law back to status quo," said Robert Guenther of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association in Washington. "We are happy to have the program back on track and are glad Congress acted promptly in responding to the court's concerns. We will now work with regulators going forward to keep U.S. organic standards strong."
Thanks to the legislation, the majority of organic products currently in the marketplace can continue to carry the "USDA Organic" seal provided they meet or exceed those stringent federal standards, according to the Organic Trade Association, a group representing organic producers. "Consumers will continue to find the 'USDA Organic' products they have come to rely on, and farmers will continue to have outlets for their organic crops," according to a statement released by the group.
The spending bill also included new funds for USDA's Fruit & Vegetable Snack program and allows the department to include new states in the popular school program.
"This is an exciting opportunity to add another six states to this important school nutrition program," said Mr. Guenther. "We are continuing to see strong support for this program in Congress but most importantly in the states that participate in the snack program."
