The United Fresh Produce Association has applauded the Agricultural Act of 2014 (commonly known as the Farm Bill) that was finalised by the House and Senate Farm Bill Conference Committee earlier this week (27 January).
The Farm Bill conference report includes an overall increase in investment of 55 per cent - over 2008 Farm Bill funding levels - in critical produce industry initiatives and programmes.
These programmes include the State Block Grant Program, Specialty Crops Research Initiative, a new fruit and vegetable incentive grant programme for SNAP recipients, the pest and disease prevention programme along with maintaining funding in the Market Access Program and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
“The 2014 Farm Bill contains provisions that are the most significant government investment ever in the competitiveness of the fruit and vegetable industry,” said United Fresh president and CEO Tom Stenzel.
The Agricultural Act of 2014 is being brought before the House of Representatives for a final vote today (29 January). Later this week, the Senate will also bring the Farm Bill up for a final vote before sending it to the president for his signature.
United Fresh is launching a grassroots campaign 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.
“This bill is a milestone, but the bill has not yet passed, so there is still work for produce industry leaders to do in encouraging members of Congress to vote ‘yes’ on the Farm Bill,” said Robert Guenther, United senior vice-president of public policy. “This is not an easy vote, so we need an aggressive effort right now from the fresh produce industry.”
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