Jan 29, 2014

House passes farm bill

The agriculture community is responding positively after the House of Representatives passed the Agricultural Act of 2014 (by a vote of 251-166) on Jan. 29. The farm bill conference report provides an overall increase in investment of 55 percent over 2008 Farm Bill funding levels in produce industry initiatives and programs.

During floor debate on the House floor, Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., cited bill provisions that provide “dramatic investment in specialty crops”as a reason for his support of the conference report. Rep. Suzan Delbene, D-Wash., agreed and urged support for the bill, in part because of the “unprecedented investment in specialty crops.”

United Fresh Produce Association President & CEO Tom Stenzel lauded the diligence of House members in their ongoing support of the farm bill.

“We appreciate the leadership and hard work provided by House Chairman Frank Lucas, Ranking Member Collin Peterson and other members of the House in support of this bill,” Stenzel in a news release. “We look forward to working with our Senate colleagues later in this week to ensure this bill also passes the Senate.”

The Senate could bring up the conference report as early as Jan. 30. If the Senate follows the House action as expected and passes the report, it will then be sent to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Stenzel said United Fresh is launching a grassroots campaign this week calling on produce industry leaders from across the country to contact their members of Congress to encourage them to vote “yes” on the Agricultural Act of 2014.

Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau, issued a statement calling this “a significant day for New York’s farmers who are seeing the cloud of uncertainty that has hung over the farm bill lifting away in Washington. The House has passed the farm bill conference report in a bi-partisan fashion, a bill that takes into account many of New York’s diverse agricultural needs.

“The improved safety net for our dairy farmers as well as many of our fruit and vegetable growers who have had little recourse following a natural disaster is a worthy investment into our food system. The sensible approach not only saves taxpayers billions of dollars, but also reassures farmers and consumers alike that our food system is protected during times of need.

“The farm bill also invests in a number of important research and support programs that will assist the state’s growing organic and local food movement, encourages the expansion of maple production, and provides for rural economic development that will help get healthy food from the farm to the dinner table.”