04/27/04 WSPC supports Specialty Crops Competition Act

Farm and Ranch April 27, 2007 Idaho Senator Larry Craig and Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, a Republican and a Democrat, recently introduced the Specialty Crops Competition Act of 2007. Chris Voigt, Executive Director of the Washington State Potato Commission says the bill is a comprehensive farm bill package which provides the necessary framework to enhance the competitiveness of the specialty crop industry. He says the Commission is pleased that both Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell have signed on to the bill as co-sponsors. The Washington Potato Commission is a member of the Specialty Crop Alliance, which includes more than 100 specialty crop grower organizations and is dedicated to ensuring the 2007 Farm Bill includes policy provisions that enhance the specialty crop industry. Voigt says minor crop producers don't want traditional subsidies but they expect their needs to receive the same attention as those of producers that have been the focus of previous farm programs. And he is optimistic. Voigt: "And we are very excited about it. This is really the first time that the entire specialty crop industry has come together with a very unified position. And we have gotten the attention of Congress of the Administration. The Secretary of Ag is behind it so hopefully we will see something in the farm bill this year for specialty crops." The Senate bill has similar provisions to the Eat Healthy America Act, a specialty crops bill introduced in the U.S. House. 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.