After a two-week recess, Members of Congress are scheduled to return to D.C. next week to continue working on several issues important to the produce industry. This includes the farm bill, an omnibus FY08 appropriations bill and the Peru trade agreement. The farm bill legislation stalled in the Senate just before recess, when Senate leaders failed to reach an agreement on a list of amendments. Agriculture interest groups, such as the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance are urging the Senate to reach an agreement and resume debate on the farm bill when it returns next week. “The reauthorization of the farm bill legislation represents a historic opportunity to achieve comprehensive farm policy that covers all segments of agricultural production, including the specialty crop industry.” said Robert Guenther, senior vice president for United Fresh. “We cannot afford to let this opportunity for our industry pass us by.” United Fresh is urging its members to contact their Senators, and ask them to support passage of a farm bill this year. For more information, contact Robert Guenther, 202-303-3409.