Speciality crop farm bill alliance supports 2014 agricultural act
The Alliance applauded the conference report and leadership of the House and Senate Agriculture Committee as, “The most significant government investment ever into the competitiveness of speciality crop producers and industry members, with support for research, pest and disease prevention, state block grants, child nutrition, trade, and more.”
The Farm Bill conference report includes an overall increase in investment of 55 percent over 2008 Farm Bill funding levels in critical produce industry initiatives and programs, including the State Block Grant Program, speciality Research Initiative, a new fruit and vegetable incentive grant program for SNAP recipients, the pest and disease prevention program along with maintaining funding in the Market Access Program and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
“The Alliance has been steadfast in urging Congress to pass a five-year Farm Bill that continues a strong investment in speciality crop agriculture,” said Alliance Co-Chair Mike Stuart, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association. “We appreciate the dedicated efforts of the House and Senate agriculture committee leadership in bringing forward a bill that will put more nutritious produce in schools, provide critical research funding to fight citrus greening and other invasive plant pests and diseases, and help us to expand markets for our crops. Along with key reforms, this bill includes programs that will allow farmers to continue to put safe, healthful fruits and vegetables on Americans’ tables.”
Alliance Co-Chair John Keeling, executive vice president & CEO of National Potato Council, agrees. “After years of effort, America’s fruit and vegetable growers are eager for a farm bill that supports producers, helps families put healthy meals on their tables, and assists local economies in retaining and growing jobs. We look forward to this final vote so that speciality crop producers can get back to what they do best: growing high-quality fruits and vegetables for America and the world,” said Keeling.
Alliance Co-Chair Tom Nassif, CEO & president of Western Growers Association explains that the federal government is an important partner for change. “The federal government becomes an invaluable partner in food production when it invests in science and research that increases food safety, reduces our dependence on natural resources, increases the consumption of fresh produce and provides healthy, fresh snacks to those children least able to afford them,” said Nassif.
The Agriculture Act of 2014 will be brought before the House of Representatives today for a final vote. Then later this week, the Senate will also bring the Farm Bill up for a final vote before sending it to the President for his signature.
For more information, visit www.strongeragriculture.org.