The US Senate has passed the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 (also known as the Farm Bill) with a vote of 64-35.
The passage comes after a two-day consideration of more than 70 amendments, pared down from nearly 300 that were submitted.
The nearly 1000-page bill includes key specialty crop industry priorities such as research, pest and disease mitigation, trade, nutrition, and other initiatives that enhance the ability of producers to be competitive and meet the needs of US consumers.
Highlights of the bill include:
• Specialty Crop Block Grants funded at US$70m per year.
• Specialty Crop Research Initiative funded at US$25m in 2013; US$30m in 2014/15; US$65m in 2016; US$50m in 2017.
• Plant Pest and Disease Program funded at US$60m in 2013-16 and US$65m in 2017.
• 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 scheme fully funded at US$50m per year consistent with 2008 levels.
United Fresh has welcomed the move, noting that the bill addresses many priorities critical to its members, including programmes which support essential research, market promotion and nutrition, as well as continued support for specialty crops that was established in the 2008 Farm Bill.
“We congratulate the Senate Agriculture Committee and Senate Leadership for prioritizing this legislation which is so important to the nation’s produce providers,” said Tom Stenzel, United Fresh president and CEO.
“The bill supports fruits and vegetables in ways that will boost consumption and help provide healthful options to Americans – through block grants, nutrition programs and pest and disease research. We’re looking forward to working with the House to preserve funding for these critical fruit and vegetable programs.”
The bill maintains 2008 levels of funding for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), a victory for the more than 3m school children who receive a fresh fruit or vegetable snack from the scheme each day.
Additionally, United Fresh said it is pleased by the Senate’s acceptance of an amendment, sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), which calls for a feasibility study of insurance products that could cover recalls, quarantines and market disruptions.
“It’s gratifying to see the Senate Agriculture Committee and the full Senate show such strong support for these important produce industry priorities,” said Robert Guenther, United’s senior vice-president of public policy.
“We commend the Senate for maintaining their support for programs important to the produce industry and moving through consideration of the bill so quickly.”
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