Farm bill side by side and other ERS notes

Luis of the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group first tagged this new release from the ERS, a side by side comparison of the farm bill of 2008 and the farm bill of 2002. Find the ERS link here.

Another ERS study that I don't think I've linked to before is found here. The title of the report is called "Phytosanitary regulation of the entry of fresh fruits and vegetables into the United States." Lots of data here about who can export what to the U.S. From the overview:

Increased trade in fresh fruits and vegetables provides U.S. consumers with a variety of benefits including the possibility of improved nutrition by making these products available year-round. Imports of these products are regulated by USDA's Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS) to reduce the risk of inadvertent entry of pests and diseases that could harm agriculture, public health, navigation, irrigation, natural resources, or the environment.

This data product identifies which countries, under APHIS phytosanitary rules, are eligible to export to the United States the fresh fruits and vegetables that are most important in the American diet. Current data represent country eligiblility as of June 2008. Previous (2007) data represent eligibility as of February 2007. Data on the absolute and relative importance of these countries in international production and trade, individually and in aggregate, are also included. This data product supports the objectives of the Program for Research on the Economics of Invasive Species (PREISM) under which ERS funds and conducts research to improve the economic basis of decisionmaking concerning invasive species issues, policies, and programs.