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Washington, DC-- This week U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns received a letter from Congressman David Wu requesting prompt consideration of a natural disaster declaration request for Yamhill County stone fruit growers. This season, stone fruit crops are as low as 10 percent of the 2004 crop and may not even merit harvesting. Stone fruits include such fruits as cherries, prunes, and peaches.
"Substantial risks are taken by those Oregonians who put food on Americans' tables every year," stated Congressman Wu. "The Federal Government is right in assisting these providers, and stone fruit growers and producers in Yamhill County are no exception."
Stone fruit growers in Yamhill County are facing catastrophic losses of their crops. The mild winter of 2004-05 and warm temperatures in February and March 2005 caused early blooms for stone fruits. The last week of March brought heavy rains and high winds and as cool temperatures continued through April, the blooms and pollen necessary for an adequate fruit crop were gone. Growers now face a 50 to 99% crop loss for the 2005 season.
While there are U.S. Department of Agriculture programs which address a variety of losses for specialty crop growers, the majority of Oregon stone fruit growers are not eligible unless a state of emergency is declared. At the request of Yamhill County Commissioners, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski submitted a formal appeal to Secretary Johanns requesting the emergency declaration. Congressman Wu followed with a letter earlier this week in support of the emergency declaration.
Presently, Congressman Wu and Governor Kulongoski are awaiting a response from Secretary Johanns.
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