Washington, D.C., March 20th -Today, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 90 specialty crop grower organizations, endorsed the Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act (EAT Healthy America Act), introduced by U.S. Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Randy Kuhl (R-NY), Rep. John Salazar (D-CO), Rep. Adam Putnam (R-FL), Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). The coalition is co-chaired by Tom Nassiff, president of Western Growers Association, Mike Stuart, president of Florida Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, and John Keeling, executive vice president of the National Potato Council.
“This bill is a comprehensive farm bill package providing the necessary framework to enhance the competitiveness of the specialty crop industry,” states Tom Nassif. Nassif praises the bill sponsors for “recognizing the unique needs of the specialty crop industry and for providing support for growers who face fierce global competition, high levels of regulation, inadequate research, and a shortage of resources to control invasive pests.”
“The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance applauds this visionary step taken by the authors of this bill which will address the needs of the specialty crop industry in a comprehensive way. As the debate on the 2007 Farm Bill takes shape we will work with the Agriculture Committees and the other members of Congress to ensure that the components of this legislation become a part of U.S. farm policy,” Mike Stuart commented.
“Specialty crops face significant challenges. While it is clear that specialty crop producers do not favor a direct payment program for themselves, it is equally clear that they expect their needs to receive the same attention as those of producers that have been the focus of previous farm programs. By establishing farm bill programs that address the priorities of both specialty crops and program crops our farm policy will be more equitable for all of agriculture,” stated John Keeling.The EAT Healthy Act, a comprehensive farm bill geared towards the specialty crop industry, addresses many important issues and provides a vital pathway for the specialty crop industry to be competitive in an increasingly global marketplace. Some of the major issues addressed in the EAT Healthy America Act include the following:
· Competitiveness: increases access to valuable export markets by increasing the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program, the Market Access Program, the Block Grant Program and by raising the profile for specialty crops within USDA, USTR, and other key federal agencies.
· Nutrition: Expands the fruit and vegetable snack program in schools across the nation and develops new nutrition programs to assist producers in enhancing their markets.
· Research: Directs new investment in research priorities for specialty crops, through the National Research Initiative, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, and Agriculture Research Service.
· Invasive Pests and Disease: Increases research funding, enhances current resources, and authorizes and expands programs to assist in the prevention, detection, and eradication of invasive plant pests and disease.
More information about the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, including a list of supporting organizations and Farm Bill principles, is available at www.competitiveagriculture.org.
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