Agriculture

After Hurricanes Frances and Ivan came through Western North Carolina, I went to work to secure disaster relief funds.
I worked hard with my fellow colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to pass a $2.8 billion supplemental bill for Agriculture disaster assistance, this is of particular importance to apple farmers in Henderson County.

Highlights of this supplemental included:

• Funding through the Commodity Credit Corporation for crop or quality losses occurring in either the 2003, 2004, or 2005 growing season; growers must make an election as to the calendar year for their losses, and may receive up to 95% of the value of the crops had the losses not occurred [note: while no dollar amount is noted, language states that “such funds as are necessary” will be provided]
• Funding through the Tree Assistance Program for apple tree or other orchard-related losses occurring between December 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004; eligible trees, bushes, and vines are those from which an annual crop is produced for commercial purposes [note: while no dollar amount is noted, language states that “such funds as are necessary” will be provided]
• $10 million for reimbursement to dairy producers for production and dairy spoilage losses in 2004 due to the hurricanes

I am also pleased to have supported an historic quota buyout for the farmer. The buyout was included as part of H.R. 4520, the American Jobs Creation Act, and will provide $10 billion for tobacco growers over the next 10 years. Under the plan, quota owners will receive $7 per quota pound while growers will receive $3 per quota pound. Perhaps the most important achievement is the rejection of a Senate-supported plan which would have placed tobacco and tobacco products under the oversight and regulation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This regulation could have unfairly hampered the ability of farmers to grow their crops in the future, and I am therefore pleased that FDA will stay off of the tobacco farm.

Committee Websites

House Agriculture Committee

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration

Related Documents:

Press Release - Rep. Taylor Secures Funding to Create Jobs in North Carolina’s Growing Viticulture Industry 11.11.2005

Press Release - Rep. Taylor Intervenes to Prevent Job Losses in Transylvania County 9.16.2005


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