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Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance

Working to Make American Agriculture Stronger
News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 19, 2007

Contact:          Robert Guenther at 202-303-3400

OVER 100 SPECIALTY CROP ORGANIZATIONS APPLAUD INTRODUCTION OF SENATE SPECIALTY CROP FARM BILL LEGISLATION

Washington, D.C., April 19th -Today, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 100 specialty crop grower organizations, endorsed the Specialty Crops Competition Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Senator Larry Craig (R-ID).  The coalition is co-chaired by Tom Nassif, 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 Specialty Crops Competition 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 Specialty Crops Competition Act  include the following:  

·        Competitiveness: increases access to valuable export markets by increasing the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program, supporting the Market Access Program, expanding the State 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.

Conservation: Improves access to conservation programs for specialty crops by expanding eligibility and increasing available technical support

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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      Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance
      Industry Supporters
 
      Alabama Watermelon Association
      American Mushroom Institute
      American Nursery and Landscape Association
      Arizona Winegrowers Association
      Blue Diamond Growers
      Buy California Marketing Agreement
      California Association of Nurseries &
           Garden Centers
      California Association of Wine Grape Growers
      California Citrus Mutual
      California Dried Plum Board
      California Fig Institute
      California Fresh Fig Growers Association
      California Grape and Tree Fruit League
      California Strawberry Commission
      California Table Grape Commission
      California Tree Fruit Agreement
      California Walnut Commission
      California-Arizona Watermelon Association
      Cherry Marketing Institute
      Colorado Potato Administrative Committee
      Colorado Wine Industry Development Board
      Connecticut Farm Wine Development Council
      Connecticut Vineyard & Winery Association
      Empire State Potato Growers
      Florida Citrus Mutual
      Florida Citrus Packers
      Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association
      Florida Strawberry Growers Association
      Florida Tomato Exchange
      Florida Watermelon Association
      Fruit Growers Marketing Association
      Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
      Georgia Watermelon Association
      Grower-Shipper Association of Central California
      Idaho Grape Growers and Wine
         Producers Commission
      Idaho Grower Shippers Association
      Idaho Potato Commission
      Indian River Citrus League
      Indiana-Illinois Watermelon Association
      Leafy Greens Council
      Maine Potato Board
      Maryland-Delaware Watermelon Association
      Maryland Wineries Association
      Miami-Dade County
      Michigan Apple Committee
      Minnesota Area II Potato Growers Research
         and Promotion Council
      Minnesota Grape Growers Association
      Missouri Wine & Grape Board
      Missouri-Arkansas Watermelon Association
      National Berry Crop Initiative
      National Grape Cooperative Association
      National Grape and Wine Initiative
      National Onion Association
      National Potato Council
      National Watermelon Association
      New England Vegetable and Berry Growers
      New Mexico Wine Growers Association
      New York Wine & Grape Foundation
      North American Blueberry Council
      North American Bramble Growers Association
      North American Strawberry Growers
         Association
      North Carolina Grape & Wine Council
      North Carolina Potato Association
      North Carolina Strawberry Association
      North Carolina Watermelon Association
      Northern Kentucky Vintners & Grape Growers
         Association
      Northwest Horticultural Council
      Northern Plains Potato Growers
      Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
      Ohio Wine Producers Association
      Oklahoma Grape Growers & Wine Makers
         Association
      Oregon Potato Commission
      Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission
      Oregon Strawberry Commission
      Oregon Winegrowers Association
      Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association
      Peerbolt Crop Management
      Potato Growers of Idaho
      Produce Marketing Association
      Rocky Mountain Association of Vintners & Viticulturists
      Society of American Florists
      South Carolina Watermelon Association
      Sunkist Growers, Incorporated
      Tennessee Farm Winegrowers Association
      Texas Citrus Mutual
      Texas Produce Association
      Texas-Oklahoma Watermelon Association
      Texas Vegetable Association
      Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association
      U.S. Apple Association
      United Fresh Produce Association
      Virginia Apple Growers Association
      Virginia Wineries Association
      Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers
       Washington Red Raspberry Commission
       Washington Apple Commission
       Washington State Potato Commission
       Welch’s
       Western Growers
       Western Pistachio Association
       Wild Blueberry Commission
       WineAmerica
       Wine Institute
       Winegrape Growers of America
       Winegrowers Association of Georgia
       WineMichigan
       Wine Producers Commission
       Wyoming Grape & Wine Association

 
 
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