Farm Bill Passage to Senate
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. Now that a new Farm Bill has passed the House and has moved on to the Senate, many are asking if the two chambers can agree on enough to get this done.
Riley Bushue, Vice President at the Northwest Horticultural Council, says it’s good news and he’s looking forward to it coming up for consideration in the Senate …
BUSHUE … “I’d say, overall, it’s definitely pretty positive. You know, it extends the market access program which will be additive to additional trade promotion funding that was provided through the budget reconciliation process last year. The Washington Apple Commission, Northwest Cherries, Pear Bureau Northwest all use those funds to match with grower dollars to promote and market tree fruit in our export markets.”
And Bushue says let’s not forget the research …
BUSHUE … “Research is really important as well. It’s a critical component of what growers, you know, it fits into the formula for growers in terms of what they need to address new pests or other concerns. So, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, Specialty Crop Research Initiative, both of those are programs that our industry has used in the past to help address priority research needs.”
Bushue says he thinks there’s some positive momentum behind the Farm Bill right now and so he’s “optimistic” that Congress can make enough progress to get it across the finish line.
