FFVA APPLAUDS FARM BILL PROPOSALS

On Jan. 31, USDA Secretary Mike Johanns unveiled USDA's 2007 Farm Bill proposals. In response, FFVA distributed a news release strongly applauding Johanns’ leadership in drafting recommendations that acknowledge the significant role of specialty crops in U.S. agriculture.
The proposal targets nearly $5 billion to support specialty crop producers by: • Increasing nutrition in food assistance programs – including school meals – through the purchase of fruits and vegetables • Funding specialty crop research • Fighting trade barriers • Expanding export markets
Johanns acknowledged the importance of specialty crops in U.S. agriculture, noting that their value now equals the value of program crops.
FFVA is part of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a group of organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, which has worked to broaden the scope and efficiency of U.S. agricultural public policy.

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