Agriculture Appropriations Conference Committee Gives Final Approval for Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act Funds

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Western Growers announced that the Congressional Agricultural Appropriations Conference Committee has approved appropriations for a Specialty Crop Block Grant Program in its final version of the Fiscal Year 2006 Agriculture Appropriations bill. This program was authorized by the landmark Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act of 2004 which was signed by President Bush in December of 2004. The House had approved today's $7 million appropriations for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program in its version of the appropriations bill on May 25.

"Today's appropriation is the latest success for the specialty crop industry and another clear signal that Congress recognizes the importance of investing resources to help meet the needs of those who provide this nation's fresh produce," said Tom Nassif, president of Western Growers. "It's another symbol of the beginning of a new era for this vital sector of American agriculture. Despite the incredibly tight federal budget situation, the subcommittee members nevertheless provided funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program because they recognized the critical importance of the need to move forward and provide final funding for the historic Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act. This landmark legislation is now a reality. This is truly a historic day.

"We would like to commend Rep. Sam Farr for making this funding possible by having $7 million including in the House Agriculture Appropriations bill, and we also want to commend Senators Dianne Feinstein and Larry Craig as well as Rep. John Dolittle for the strong leadership for specialty crop funding in the Senate/House Conference Committee," continued Nassif. "In addition, we want to thank Senators Robert Bennett of Utah, Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, Henry Bonilla of Texas and Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Chairmen and ranking Democrats, respectively, of the Senate and House Ag Appropriations Subcommittees, for their roles in securing this appropriation. This is a happy day for our industry and all those who produce our nation's fruits, nuts and vegetables. We are hopeful that it represents just the start of substantial, innovative and effective assistance to help make the specialty crop industry more competitive."

The Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act of 2004 was designed to enhance the competitiveness, both domestically and internationally, of American fresh produce. Provisions include research to improve product quality; development of new crop protection tools; research on the impact of crop pests and disease; quantification of clean air benefits of produce crops; creation of pest management systems; and other actions to assist the fresh produce industry. The law was cosponsored by 122 members of Congress. Those lawmakers represent farmers who grow more than 250 produce crops ranging from lettuce in California to melons in Arizona to blueberries in Maine.

"The specialty crop industry represents at least half of America's crop agriculture but currently receives very little in federal assistance, and not a single dime in direct federal subsidies," said Nassif. "This action secures funding to address the urgent needs of specialty crop growers and help them remain competitive in global markets. It's also important to note that none of this money will go directly into the pockets of produce farmers in the form of subsidies. We think this is the most effective and efficient to way to support our growers."

The funding approved today will allow full implementation of the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act. Important non-funded provisions have already begun to be implemented.

Western Growers is an agriculture trade association whose members grow, pack and ship ninety percent of the fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in California and Arizona, about half of the nation's fresh produce.