FFVA: Finding a place in farm policy

From the FFVA:

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association today strongly applauded Congress for passing a landmark farm bill that for the first time addresses the needs and priorities of the U.S. specialty crop industry.

“This bill reflects the tremendous contributions specialty crops make to U.S. agriculture and the health of all Americans,” said FFVA President Mike Stuart. “It’s been a long and sometimes difficult process, but we are especially pleased that the House and Senate conferees were able to work out funding issues that had slowed the bill’s progress. We commend the leadership in both houses as well as members of the committees who worked so hard to bring this to a successful conclusion.”

The Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (H.R. 2419) passed in the House on Wednesday by a 318-106 vote, and the Senate approved the bill 81-15 on Thursday. President Bush has threatened a veto, although the votes in both houses signal that an override is possible.

Specialty crops – fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and other crops – account for nearly half of all cash crop receipts in the United States. Florida ranks second in the nation in production of fruits, vegetables and nuts.

The bill targets nearly $3 billion to support specialty crop producers by:

Expanding the USDA Fruit & Vegetable Snack Program to all 50 states. This program develops lifelong healthy eating habits for children through consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Establishing a specialty crop research initiative to develop and disseminate science-based tools to address the industry’s needs.

Increasing funding for state-level specialty crop grants that focus on local, regional and statewide programs to enhance producers’ ability to compete in the marketplace and provide consumers with safe, abundant food.

Enhancing critical trade assistance and market promotion tools that will grow international markets.

Investing in prevention and mitigation programs and tools to combat invasive pest and diseases, which cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars per year.

Facilitating producers’ access to and participation in conservation programs.

Stuart serves as a co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a group of more than 120 organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products. The alliance has worked for more than two years to broaden the scope and efficiency of U.S. agricultural public policy by including these crops in the 2008 Farm Bill.

“Our industry does not receive direct payments, nor has it advocated for them in this farm bill,” Stuart said. “Rather, we have worked with Congress to provide the resources necessary for us to remain competitive and grow in a global marketplace.”

Stuart also commended members of Florida’s legislative delegation who voted for the bill. “We appreciate their support for a bill that will put more fruits and vegetables in schools, enhance our industry’s efforts to fight invasive pests and diseases, and help us to market our crops domestically and globally,” he said.

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (www.ffva.com) is an agricultural trade organization representing Florida's producers of fruits, vegetables and other crops.