The US Senate agriculture committee has voted in favour of greater federal investment in the fruit and vegetables sector to boost production and consumption.
The committee voted 16-5 last week to pass the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012. This marks the beginning of efforts to reauthorize the 2012 Farm Bill set to expireon September 30, 2012.
The Farm Bill proposal includes, among other measures, funding of US$150 million annually for the fresh fruit and vegetable programme, annual funding of US$50m for a school and service institutions fresh fruit and vegetable scheme and increased funding for pest and disease management programmes.
The legislation must now go to the full Senate for debate and votes and then on to the House of Representatives for consideration, which is expected this summer.
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