Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson said the fiscal 2006 agriculture appropriation passed by the House of Representatives Thursday helps secure Illinois’ leadership in the production and protection of a healthy food supply.

“This appropriation covers a wide spectrum of programs touching people at all socioeconomic levels, but perhaps most importantly, it recognizes in a significant way the expertise and talents at the University of Illinois,” said Rep. Johnson. “The resources and people here at our doorstep are working in ways that will benefit not only Illinois farmers but the nation’s food supply for years to come.

“It is particularly satisfying that with this appropriation and in this tight budget climate, my fellow legislators recognized the key role Illinois plays in the nation’s agricultural community and industry,” Johnson said. “Our top priority continues to be working for the people who work the fields.”

The appropriation, which still must be approved by the Senate, contains funding for four UI research endeavors:

Future Foods Initiative: $545,000 for the second year of funding for the innovative and interdisciplinary undertaking that investigates the relationship among compounds in foods, from processing to packaging and marketing.

IL/MO Biotech: $1,170,000, a collaborative project with the University of Missouri to develop new uses and markets for corn and soybean produced in the Midwest, particularly with regard to the economic and social implications of genetically modified crops.

Livestock Genome: $815,000 for an ongoing international program to create a genetic map for cattle and swine species, with promising implications for livestock safety, productivity and public health.

Soybean Disease Research: $955,000 that will be part of the National Soybean Research Lab investigating genetic modifications to make soybeans a healthier food product and resistant to diseases like soybean rust.

University of Illinois President B. JosephWhite said he was grateful for Rep. Johnson’s efforts in securing the funding.

“The University of Illinois greatly appreciates Rep. Johnson’s longstanding support of these and other integral research projects designed to increase the productivity and reliability of the world’s food supply,” President White said. “The agricultural sciences are among the most important and satisfying things we do at the U. of I. because they are essential to the economies and well-being of Illinoisans and citizens of the world. This significant funding helps ensure our continued excellence in carrying out this mission.”

Other highlights of the appropriation include commitments to several important food and nutrition programs. Child nutrition programs are funded at $12.4 billion, $630 million above last year. Special Supplemental Nutrition Programs for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is funded at $5.3 billion, $22 million above last year.

The Food Stamp program is funded at $40.7 billion, a $5.6 billion increase over last year.

The bill also continues funding in support of farmers, ranchers and rural America, including:

• Farm Service Agency salaries and expenses are funded at President’s request of $1.008 billion, an increase of $25 million above last year, to continue delivery of farm programs. 
  
  
• Agricultural Research Service is funded at $1.124 billion, an increase of $164 million above last year’s level and $63 million above the President’s request. 
  
  
• Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service formula funds for Hatch Act, McIntire-Stennis, and Animal Health Disease programs are restored to fiscal year 2005 levels. The bill does not concur with the budget request to convert these formula funds into competitive grants.

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