Specialty Crop Bill Signed by President

News Date December 28, 2004

Last week, President George W. Bush signed the "Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act," which is considered landmark legislation for the nation's specialty crop industry. The bill 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 block grant is authorized annually at $44.5 million with each state authorized to receive a minimum grant of $100,000.

"The signing of this bill is a significant victory for growers and consumers alike," said Western Growers Association 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."

Western Growers, its members, and other industry partners, including NASDA, worked for nearly three years to win congressional approval for the legislation. The coauthors of the bill are Reps. Doug Ose and Cal Dooley, both of California. The bill was approved by the House of Representatives in October 2004, and the 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.

Some of the features of the Act include: 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 Association is an agricultural trade association whose 3,000 members grow, pack, and ship 90 percent of the fresh vegetables and nearly 70 percent of the fresh fruit and nuts grown in Arizona and California, about one-half of the nation's fresh produce.