IRVINE, California,
December 21, 2004, from a press release: President
George W. Bush today signed the Specialty Crop Competitiveness
Act, landmark legislation revolutionizing federal funding
policy for the nation's specialty crop industry. The
SCCA authorizes $54 million annually for five years
to enhance the competitiveness, both domestically and
internationally, of each state's fresh produce crops,
mostly through block grants to the state departments
of agriculture.
"The signing of this bill is a significant victory
for growers and consumers alike," said Western
Growers President Tom Nassif. "As a model for federal
agricultural funding, none of the millions of dollars
earmarked for the produce industry will come in the
form of direct subsidies. Instead, the funding will
be an investment in the produce industry to enhance
exports through technical assistance, specialized research
programs, conservation, education, promotion, improved
food inspection facilities and similar initiatives.
It marks the nation's first major federal funding program
for the fresh produce industry."
Western Growers, its members, and other industry partners,
worked for nearly three years to win congressional approval
for the legislation. The co-authors of the bill are
Reps. Doug Ose and Cal Dooley, both of California. The
SCCA passed the House of Representatives in October
2004, and the U.S. Senate earlier this month. The bill
was cosponsored by 122 members of Congress representing
farmers across the nation who grow more than 250 fresh
produce crops ranging from lettuce in California to
melons in Arizona to blueberries in Maine.
"This law will ensure a reliable and safe food
supply and is an important boost for the nation's health
and nutrition," Nassif continued. "It will
go a long way toward promoting the increased consumption
of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts and will help raise
awareness of the critical role fresh produce plays in
our lives. We look forward to the implementation of
this historic and very positive legislation."
Some of the features of the Act include: the quantification
of the clean air benefits of specialty crops; the enhancement
of fresh produce quality; new crop protection tools
and pest management systems; and research on the impact
of foreign pest and disease invasions and effective
solutions. In addition, technical assistance for specialty
crops to help enhance exports will be increased and
plant inspection programs will also be bolstered.
Western Growers and its 3,000 members played a significant
role in the passage of the legislation, as did a broad
alliance of organizations representing specialty crops
throughout the nation.
"We could not have achieved this historic victory
without the cooperation of a powerful alliance of organizations
representing fresh produce," said Nassif. "This
is a tribute to the strength of that alliance as much
as it is a landmark piece of legislation. We thank our
members, our partners, our co-sponsors in Congress and
all those who contributed to this effort."
|
