May 5, 2008

ISSUE 1217

SPECIALTY CROP PROVISIONS GENERALLY GOOD IN FARM BILL

After meeting late into the night May 1, U.S. House and Senate Conference Committee members are closer to an agreement on a farm bill that offers some good news for fruit and vegetable producers while falling short of certain demands for crop subsidy reform. Following passage of a two-week extension, House and Senate negotiators endorsed a bill that's expected to cost about $280 billion over five years. It provides $230 million in mandatory funds for a new research grants program to help meet the needs of producers and processors of specialty crops in the areas of mechanization, plant breeding, genetics, genomics, pests and diseases, and food safety.

In addition, the fruits and vegetables title provides block grants to states, funding for organics, pest and disease detection and farmers markets.

Some possible negative news came late in the meeting on the topic of planting flexibility. FFVA, as a member of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, is working with key House and Senate conferees on this important issue.

The final numbers should be firmed up within the next week. The Senate and House must both approve the completed legislation before it can go to President Bush for his signature, which is not guaranteed. The White House is threatening a veto of the bill.

 

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