Subcommittee Conducts Hearing On Usda Farm Bill Proposals On Specialty Crops And Organic Agriculture

News Date March 05, 2007

The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture held a hearing last week to review the USDA's farm bill proposals regarding specialty crops and organic agriculture. Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.) is chairman of the subcommittee.

USDA Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner testified on behalf of the USDA. Both the House Agriculture Committee and the USDA agree that specialty crops have been under-represented in previous farm bills. Specialty crop producers have requested not to have subsidies and instead prefer support for sanitary and phytosanitary research to address trade issues which is among several issues of concern.

The USDA proposal includes provisions under the trade, nutrition, rural development, energy, and research titles of the farm bill. Among the tools to be used to help producers are additional funds for competitive grants, priority consideration for value-added programs, and a greater presence in international standard-setting bodies for trade. USDA did not include a stipulation for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program because the current program is authorized through FY09. Since it is a relatively new program, USDA did not include such a new program until further information has accumulated.

Another issue that is on the table is the planting prohibition provision. This is the restriction on planting fruits, vegetables and wild rice on program crop base acres. USDA is proposing that the planting prohibition be repealed in the 2007 farm bill but the Subcommittee Chairman Dennis Cardoza urged caution on elimination of the planting prohibition.

For more information, visit the House Committee on Agriculture's website at http://www.agriculture.house.gov to see opening statements and testimony. (Contacts: Casey Wong-Buehler and Jennifer Yezak)