FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 21, 2012
Contact:
Ray Gilmer, United Fresh
Produce Assoc. 202-303-3425
Lisa Lochridge, Florida
Fruit & Vegetable Assoc. 321-214-5206
Senate Supports Specialty Crops With Passage
of Farm Bill
Bill Preserves Funding for Critical Specialty
Crop Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) applauded the passage
of the Agriculture Reform, Food
and Jobs Act of 2012 in the Senate today. The 64-35 vote comes after a
two-day consideration of more than 70 amendments, pared down from the nearly
300 that were submitted. The bill addresses many of the critical priorities
outlined by the SCFBA and continues the support of specialty crops that was
established in the 2008 Farm Bill.
“We appreciate the hard work of
Majority Leader Reid, Republican Leader McConnell, Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow,
and Ranking Member Roberts for getting this challenging but vital farm bill
over the Senate finish line,” said John Keeling, National Potato Council
executive vice president and CEO and co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill
Alliance. “The policies of the Farm Bill passed by the Senate will help protect
the tens of thousands of jobs associated with the specialty crop industry and
will help create more. And it further strengthens the access of all Americans
to the specialty crops that enhance their daily lives. We look forward to ensuring that the voices
of employers, workers and families dependent on a strong specialty crop
industry are heard as the House makes progress on its Farm Bill.”
"At a time when it's
critically important for Americans to be eating more fruits and vegetables,
Senate passage of this bill is great news for consumers," said Mike
Stuart, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association and co-chair
of the Alliance. "Besides preserving jobs, it helps to ensure access to a
plentiful supply of healthful specialty crops. What's more, this bill addresses
some of the continual significant challenges specialty crop growers face in the
production and marketing of their crops in an increasingly global marketplace.
We look forward to working with the House as it takes up its version of the
bill."
“For specialty crop
producers across the country the Farm Bill represents an opportunity to create
a healthier life for Americans across the country,” said Tom Nassif, president
and CEO, Western Growers and co-chair of the Alliance. “Farm Bill funding helps
fuel innovations in farming that will help our producers grow and harvest an
abundant supply of specialty crops utilizing fewer natural resources. This is
an opportunity to help our industry in the short and long-term as well as help
secure the jobs of millions of American workers who support agriculture and reduce
the federal deficit. Now that the Senate has completed its work, we look
forward to seeing Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Peterson move the farm bill
through the House Agriculture Committee.”
The Specialty Crop Farm
Bill Alliance is grateful to the Senate Agriculture Committee for bringing a
comprehensive bill to the floor and to the key policymakers who worked with the
Alliance to secure support for several programs of particular importance to the
fresh fruit and vegetable industry. The 1,000-plus page bill includes key
specialty crop industry priorities such as research, pest and disease
mitigation, trade, nutrition, and other programs help producers to be
competitive and meet the needs of American consumers. Highlights of the bill
include:
•
Specialty Crop Block Grants funded at $70 million per year
•
Specialty Crop Research Initiative funded at $25 million in FY13;
$30 million in FY14-15; $65 million in FY16; $50 million in FY17
•
Plant Pest and Disease Program funded at $60 million in FY13-16
and $65 million in FY17
•
Market Access Program and Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops
fully funded at 2008 Farm Bill levels
•
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program fully funded at 2008 Farm Bill
levels
•
Hunger-Free Communities Grant Program for fruit and vegetable SNAP
incentives
•
Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program
•
Section 32 specialty crop purchases funded at 2008 Farm Bill
levels
•
DoD Fresh program fully funded at 2008 Farm Bill levels
The House Agriculture Committee is expected to release its version
of the bill in July.
###
The Specialty
Crop Farm Bill Alliance is a national coalition of more than 120
organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree
nuts, nursery plants and other products. The alliance was established to
enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop agriculture and improve the
health of Americans by broadening the scope of U.S. agricultural public policy.
For more information, visit www.strongeragriculture.org.
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