The United Fresh Produce Association has praised the US Senate for backing the new Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013, with the bill gaining a favourable vote of 66-27 and delivering a 'strong signal' to the House that the legislation 'deserves to be acted on quickly'.
According to United Fresh, the bill addresses many priorities that are seen as critical to the US fresh produce industry, including programmes essential to research, market promotion and nutrition, continuing the support for specialty crops first established in the 2008 Farm Bill.
“We congratulate the Senate Agriculture Committee and Senate Leadership for moving forward with this legislation that is so important to the nation’s produce providers,” said Tom Stenzel, United Fresh CEO. “The bill supports fruits and vegetables in ways that will boost consumption and help provide healthful options to Americans, through block grants, nutrition programmes and pest and disease research. We’re looking forward to working with the House to preserve funding for these critical fruit and vegetable programmes.”
The bill passed by the Senate includes key specialty crop industry priorities such as research, pest and disease mitigation, trade, nutrition, and other programmes that enhance the ability of producers to be competitive and meet the needs of American consumers.
Highlights include specialty crop block grants funded at US$70m per year,a coordinated plant management programme funded at US$60m (2014-2017) and US$65m (2018), and a market access programme and technical assistance for specialty crops fully funded at 2008 Farm Bill levels.
“It’s gratifying to see the Senate Agriculture Committee and the full Senate restore confidence and support to the industry that has been waiting since the expiration of the 2008 Farm Bill,” said Robert Guenther, United’s senior vice-president of public policy. “We commend the Senate for maintaining their support for programmes important to the produce industry.
“The Senate has sent a strong signal to the House that this legislation deserves to be acted on quickly, and we encourage the House to move forward as soon as possible,' he added. 'United will continue to work with Congress to provide the produce industry perspective and raise awareness of the issues most important to our members.'
The House Agriculture Committee approved their version of the Farm Bill on 16 May, with the full House scheduled to consider the legislation the week of 17 June.
