October 8, 2007

ISSUE 1187

ALLIANCE BACKS BILL TO TRANSFER AG QUARANTINE INSPECTION TO USDA

Members of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance have written a letter to several senators in support of legislation introduced by Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Cal.) to transfer the Agriculture Quarantine Inspection program from the Department of Homeland Security back to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

The letter, finalized Oct. 2 and signed by FFVA and other organizations, says that specialty crop growers are increasingly concerned about the lack of effectiveness of DHS in protecting against foreign invasive species coming into the U.S. The AQI program was transferred to DHS in 2003. The letter cites several reports that contain disturbing findings on whether the inspections are carried out effectively.

“We believe…that a transfer of the AQI function back to APHIS is necessary to ensure the ability of the federal government to protect U.S. agriculture from harmful invasive pests and diseases,” the letter states, and it urges the senators to cosponsor S.887 and support its adoption.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson also weighed in on the matter at a House subcommittee hearing Oct. 3. He told the Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture that moving AQI inspectors back to USDA accomplishes two very important things. “First, it ensures that agriculture inspectors are dedicated full time to preventing a pest or disease incursion. But also, and I would say this was perhaps even more important, it allows the inspection workforce that remains at DHS to focus solely and completely on preventing a terrorist attack or weapon of mass destruction from damaging the United States. Neither one has their mission diluted,” he said.

FFVA President Mike Stuart co-chairs the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a national coalition of more than 120 specialty crop organizations representing the interests of hundreds of specialty crops in federal farm policy. The group has worked for more than two years to ensure specialty crop priorities are included in the 2007 Farm Bill.

SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE PASSES ITS VERSION OF FARM BILL

ALLIANCE BACKS BILL TO TRANSFER AG QUARANTINE INSPECTION TO USDA

ROTH, SMOAK TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF IMMIGRATION REFORM

JUDGE EXTENDS NO-MATCH LETTER ORDER

COMMENTS SOUGHT ON LEAFY GREENS PROGRAM

EQIP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS NOV. 13

LABOR MANUALS AVAILABLE