The 2007 Farm Bill
The fresh fruit and vegetable industry represents a vitally important segment of American agriculture and brings crops to market that are essential to the health of all Americans. While the produce industry does not grow fruits and vegetables in every Congressional district, our industry is important to the good health of all Americans, as well as to our government's efforts to prevent disease, reduce obesity and improve the well-being of our citizens. The federal government and Congress must consider all solutions to help the fruit and vegetable industry remain world leaders in food production and competitiveness.
Background
In May 2005, industry leaders united, forming the “Farm Bill Working Group” to develop policy recommendations for the next farm bill. The Working Group consists of a steering committee, which includes over 24 different specialty crop organizations. This group developed a set of specialty crop priorities, "Farm Bill Working Group: Specialty Crop Industry Priorities for the 2007 Farm Bill" that focus on enhancing the competitiveness of the specialty crop industry, while increasing consumption. The group has now expanded into a coalition called the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance and has attracted over 120 specialty crop organizations from across the country that have endorsed these recommendations for inclusion in the 2007 Farm Bill.
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance succeeded in the 109th Congress to work with key members in Congress to develop a comprehensive farm bill package that provided the necessary framework to enhance the competitiveness of the specialty crop industry. In the 109th Congress, Senators Larry Craig (R-ID) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the Specialty Crop Competition Act of 2006, a marker bill aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the specialty crop industry through enhancing current federal nutrition programs, funding for invasive pest and disease programs and expanding the popular specialty crop block grant program. As a marker bill, the Specialty Crop Competition Act gained bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, Reps. Richard Pombo (R-CA), Adam Putnam (R-FL), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), and John Salazar (D-CO), introduced H.R. 6193, the Equitable Agriculture Today (EAT) for a Healthy America Act. Also intended as a marker bill, the 109th EAT Healthy America Act was supported by 77 co-sponsors, representing over 20 states. Most importantly, the legislation addressed the need for long-term investments that are critical to promoting consumption and demand for our agricultural products. EAT Healthy America Act highlighted our industry’s efforts to adapt to changes in the business environment and provided us with the tools necessary to succeed.
The 110th Congress reintroduced both the Specialty Crop Competition Act and the Equitable Agriculture Today (EAT) for a Healthy America Act. In March 2007, Reps. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Adam Putnam (R-FL), John Salazar (D-CO), Randy Kuhl (R-NY), Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) reintroduced EAT for a Healthy America Act, now H.R. 1600 into the 110th Congress. April 19th, 2007 Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), supported by numerous co-sponsors from both parties, reintroduced the Specialty Crop Competition Act 2007, S. 1160. The House and Senate bills provide a comprehensive farm bill package, with the necessary framework to enhance the competitiveness of the specialty crop industry and increase consumer consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Current Status
After almost two years of preparation, the process of actually writing the 2007 Farm Bill began in the House Agriculture Committee in late May 2007. After several weeks of debate and redrafting the final bill, the U.S. House passed the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007, H.R. 2419. For the first time ever, this bill contained a significant level of funding to address specialty crop needs. The bill provides $2 billion for our industry to address priorities, such as increasing research, food safety, consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, access to international market access, infrastructure investments through state block grants and battling pest and disease from
entering the U.S.
In October, the Senate Agriculture Committee began its process of debating the Senate version of the farm bill. On October 25, 2007 the Senate Agriculture Committee passed S. 2302 the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007. This legislation makes a strong commitment in improving nutrition and obesity among children by expanding the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program to 5,000 schools and 4.5 million children. The Senate Farm Bill acknowledged other key priorities such as providing trade assistance and market promotion tools to open new and expand existing international markets, investing in research to improve the quality, taste and nutrition of fruits and vegetables and support for state specialty crop competitiveness projects that target the specific needs of local specialty crop producers. In addition, today’s action coupled with the Senate Finance Committee will foster significant improvements in efforts by USDA to combat invasive pest and diseases.
Action
As the federal government and Congress examine how present U.S. agriculture policies should be developed in our current global marketplace, it is critical they consider long and short-term solutions to help the fruit and vegetable industry remain world leaders in food production and competitiveness. United Fresh urges the House and Senate to build upon H.R. 2419, the House passed farm bill, which incorporates key policy and funding priorities for expanding a healthy fruit and vegetable industry. TAKE ACTION NOW!
Essential Policy Resources
Archived Resources
Tell your Senators the produce industry supports the House passed Farm Bill!
