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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida), a fifth generation farmer and a member of the Agriculture Subcommittee on the House Appropriations Committee, today stood with Florida’s farmers and voted for the Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 (HR 2419), commonly known as the Farm Bill. For the first time ever, the Farm Bill provides substantial, mandatory support to the specialty crop industry, guaranteeing $1.5 billion for fruit and vegetable programs.
“Fruits and vegetables must have an equal seat at the table, and that is what this Farm Bill does,” said Congressman Boyd. “The Farm Bill cuts across party and regional lines and reflects the need to ensure the economic vitality of specialty crops to benefit Florida farmers and the health of all Americans. Specialty crops are an integral pillar of our agriculture economy, and I am proud that the Farm Bill will provide the assistance to support our specialty crop producers and keep the industry competitive in a changing global market.”
In the past, specialty crops have not received traditional Farm Bill benefits for nutrition, research, pest management, and trade promotion programs. Specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery products, are a significant part of our country’s agriculture industry, constituting almost 50 percent of total cash receipts.
The Farm Bill also includes key provisions that invest in rural communities, including economic development programs and access to broadband telecommunication services.
Additionally, the 2007 Farm Bill takes critical steps to expand renewable fuel production needed to encourage American energy independence and protect our environment. The bill boosts renewable energy programs by 600 percent, providing $2 billion in loan guarantees for the development of refineries that process renewable fuels and $1.5 billion for production incentives for ethanol and biodiesel made from agricultural, forest, and waste plant materials.
“As I have said many times before, our country cannot continue to be the strongest country in the world if we are dependent on foreign countries for food and energy,” Boyd stated. “Maintaining a healthy agriculture industry and encouraging energy independence should be both economic and national security priorities. The Farm Bill not only supports our nation’s food producers, but it also gives the agriculture industry an important role in securing our energy supply. Today is a good day for our farmers.”
The 2007 Farm Bill has been endorsed by numerous farm groups, including the Florida Farm Bureau and the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance.
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