SENATE SPECIALTY CROP BILL INTRODUCED

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, introduced the Specialty Crops Competition Act of 2007 (S.1160) in the Senate April 19. The legislation is a comprehensive farm bill geared toward the specialty crop industry. It addresses many key issues and provides an important pathway for the specialty crop industry to be competitive in an increasingly global marketplace.
The bill will likely be discussed at a Senate agriculture hearing April 24. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, which FFVA President Mike Stuart co-chairs, is working on securing 20-plus co-sponsors by that time. At Rap-Up deadline, 16 co-sponsors have signed on to the legislation.
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance consists of more than 100 specialty crop grower organizations dedicated to ensuring that the 2007 Farm Bill includes policy provisions that enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. specialty crop industry and help increase consumption of specialty crops grown in the United States.
To access the text of the Specialty Crops Competition Act of 2007, visit the Resource Library section of www.ffva.com.

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