REP. BROWN-WAITE HELPS SECURE FUNDING FOR FLORIDA SHELLFISH EXTENSION PROGRAM AND SUBTROPICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM
Funds included in the FY2006 Agriculture Appropriations Conference Report

	Shrimp Farm

Washington, D.C., Oct 28, 2005 - U.S. Representative Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) today announced that the Agriculture appropriations conference report passed the U.S. House by a bipartisan vote of 318-63. The bill includes $9,768,000 for the 5th Congressional District, with $300,000 for the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Development Program and $9.468 million for ARS Subtropical Agriculture Research.

“These federal funds for Florida’s aquaculture are vitally important to the long-term preservation and enhancement of shellfish populations,” said Rep. Brown-Waite. “While Florida has made remarkable advancements in clam and shellfish aquaculture, increased investment is needed to maintain water quality and management, global competitiveness and food technologies. Florida’s shellfish industry creates thousands of jobs for our agriculture and fishing industries, and I am proud to support federal efforts to fund this important program.”

The University of Florida/IFAS Shellfish Aquaculture Extension Program will receive $300,000 in federal funds to administer the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Development Program. The program facilitates the sustainable use and future development of shellfish aquaculture. The program identifies priority areas such as: alternative species development, product quality, genetic improvement and brood stock domestication. This program is an example of multi-disciplinary research and demonstration projects involving partnerships with university research, extension and industry.

“Agriculture throughout Florida contributes a significant portion toward Florida’s economy,” continued Rep. Brown-Waite. “It is important for biologists and researchers to understand how Florida’s subtropical region is affected by the encroachment of exotic species. The State’s agriculture will benefit greatly from this federal funding and will help protect against the growing environmental and economic threat of invasive species.”

The Tropical/Subtropical Agriculture Research (T-STAR) program is aimed at developing strategies and tactics to stem the influx of exotic diseases, insects and weeds into the United States to protect American agriculture. The T-STAR program enhances research, education and regulatory programs for interdiction, eradication, and suppression of exotic plants, animals, insects and disease. Jointly administered by the University of Florida and the University of Hawaii, the programs will receive $9.468 million in federal funds, to be split in a yet to be determined manner.

Rep. Brown-Waite specifically requested the aquaculture funding in the Agriculture appropriations legislation, and joined Reps. Adam Putnam (R-FL), Ed Case (D-HI), Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Clay Shaw (R-FL), Kendrick Meek (D-FL) and Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) in requesting funding for the subtropical agriculture research program. The conference report now goes to the U.S. Senate for passage and then to President Bush for his expected signature.