OCTOBER 31, 2005

ISSUE 1087

As part of the Fiscal Year 2006 Agriculture Appropriations bill, Congressional Agricultural Appropriations Conference Committee members earmarked $7 million Wednesday for a Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The program was authorized earlier in the year by the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act.

The FY2006 Agriculture Appropriation legislation, which determines federal spending on all agricultural activity receiving government funding, also assigned $1 million to enforce mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL), but delayed its implementation for two years until September 30, 2008.

In a letter sent Friday (October 28) to the Florida congressional delegation, FFVA President Mike Stuart expressed his disappointment in the implementation delay, saying it is especially troublesome that it comes after months of negotiations within the produce industry to reach a workable labeling compromise.

The conference agreement also included $36.6 million for citrus canker eradication and control activities, and funding to expand the Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program, which allows schools to provide healthy snacks to students, into four additional states. Florida, however was not included among them.

The conference report was expected to be passed in the House Friday (October 28) and in the Senate soon thereafter. The bill will then be sent to the president for his signature.