05/23/08 Washington Potato Commission commends lawmakers for historic farm bill

Farm and Ranch May 23, 2008 Following the lead of the House, the U.S. Senate Thursday overrode President Bush's veto of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, the farm bill. That rejection of a farm bill veto is believed to be the first in U.S. history. The legislation was also history making in that it includes a specialty crop title for the first time ever. Something Chris Voigt, Washington State Potato Commission Executive Director and agricultural spokesman, says is an enormous win for Washington Agriculture. Voigt: "Again it is not subsidizing crops but it is making strategic government investment in things like research or getting more fresh fruits and vegetables into school programs. So it is a great opportunity. It helps us with a tremendous amount of research and opening up new markets. So this is a big win for specialty crops. Senator Cantwell is actually going to be in Tri-Cities on Wednesday of next week, the 28th, where she is going to be touring a potato facility and doing a press conference right after that to talk about the benefits of the farm bill here in Washington state. So we are looking forward to working with the Senator next week." Voigt says they owe a great deal to the strong support and tenacity of Cantwell as well as Senator Murray and Representatives, McMorris Rodgers, Hastings and Larsen for making this happen. Because it was accidentally left out of the farm bill sent to the President, the Trade Title did not become law as the rest of the legislation did with Congress's rejection of Bush's veto. The House took action to correct that and the Senate will do so after the Memorial Day recess. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.