The United Fresh Produce Association has hailed the long-awaited passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill), as the measure crossed the final legislative hurdle when the Senate approved the Farm Bill conference report by a vote of 68-32.
The bill, on which Congress started having hearings in 2010, provides nearly US$4bn in funding for programmes that benefit specialty crop production, including fresh produce.
The funding amounts and policies encompassed in the bill reflect specialty crop priorities for block grants, research, pest and disease mitigation, nutrition and trade. The federal commitment to specialty crop needs included in the bill is described by United Fresh as 'unprecedented', and builds on the momentum begun under the 2008 Farm Bill.
“Everybody seems to agree that in the history of Farm Bill reauthorisations, this has been the most challenging and has taken the longest,” said Robert Guenther, United Fresh’s senior vice-president for public policy. “But even though the overall bill took many unexpected twists and turns, one thing was consistent: strong, bipartisan support in the House and Senate for fresh fruit and vegetable policies.
'Throughout the long process, Farm Bill programmes for fruits and vegetables were maintained or strengthened,' he continued. 'This is a clear sign that policymakers recognise the importance of our industry to the nutritional well-being of all Americans and to the overall US economy. We’ll continue to work with lawmakers to ensure that America’s fruit and vegetable providers operate under government policies that allow them to be as innovative as they can be to enhance their competitiveness and ability to meet America’s nutritional needs.”
The Farm Bill will now be sent to president Obama for his expected signature.
