Washington, D.C., May 24 -  

By an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 378 - 46 last night, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an agricultural appropriations measure that restores more than $1 million in funding for the Southwestern Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory in Las Cruces. The Bush Administration’s budget request had eliminated funding for the Laboratory.

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2007 (H.R. 5384) also funds critical research programs that address vital issues to New Mexico agriculture, such as irrigation, range health, and plant defenses against disease and drought. Additionally, this legislation pays for the ongoing effort to control the devastating impact of the Mexican Gray Wolf upon New Mexico’s livestock; water and sewer projects in Columbus, Hagerman, and Tatum; and other important rural development programs.

“I am pleased that a substantial majority of my colleagues agreed with us that the Cotton Ginning Research Lab is an essential economic resource that deserves continued federal support even in an extremely tight budget year,” Rep. Pearce said. “The Lab not only provides critical data and support for the Southwest’s cotton industry; it continues to assist New Mexico’s chile growers with their efforts to mechanize production and harvesting.

“This bill also provides essential help for our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, as they continue to face enormous challenges that threaten their economic well-being and quality of life.”

According to a representative of the National Cotton Council, the Southwestern Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory in Las Cruces “is the only facility performing research on ginning of Western growths of US cotton including the only public Extra-long staple (ELS) roller ginning facility in the world.” The Lab is also in the process of executing a contract to continue its five year-old partnership with New Mexico State University’s Chile Task Force for another three years.

2^nd Congressional District Projects that receive funding under H.R. 5384 include:

USDA — Agriculture Research Service Continuing Programs     

Experimental Range Research                                                      $    387,976

Rangeland Resource Management                                               $  1,767,516

USDA — The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES)

Research and Education

Efficient Irrigation                                                                         $ 1,675,000

Plant, Drought and Disease Resistance Gene Cataloging                $    279,000

Southwest Consortium for Plant Genetics and Water Resources    $    400,000

Extension

Efficient Irrigation (Shared between NM and TX)                         $ 2,825,000

Joe Skeen Institute for Rangeland Restoration                               $ 1,000,000
(Shared among NM and TX)

Range Improvement                                                                     $    244,000

Rural Development through Tourism                                             $    348,000

USDA — The Animal and Plant Health inspection Service (APHIS)

Wildlife Services
(Wolf Predation – Shared between NM and AZ)                          $    175,000

Imported Fire Ant                                                                         $     45,000

Rural Development

(Dollar Amounts to be determined by USDA Rural Development)

Columbus Water & Wastewater Improvements

Hagerman Water System Upgrades

Tatum Sewer Improvements

TOTAL                                                                                        $ 11,173,389