A study on the feasibility of insurance covering food safety recalls is now in the Senate’s farm bill, and legislators continue to vote on dozens of other amendments June 20.
The insurance amendment, written by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., passed by a vote of 76-23.
“We’re very pleased with that,” said Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy for the Washington, D.C.-based United Fresh Produce Association.
A amendment offered by Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., to prohibit mandatory or compulsory assessments for marketing programs fell by a vote of 20 to 79.
Guenther said an amendment to cut funding for the Market Access Program by $40 million will be considered by the Senate June 20.
Guenther said the MAP amendment is the last major amendment that the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance is focused on.
“We think (the farm bill) will pass and then it is on to the House.” he said.
The House Agriculture Committee may unveil their work on the farm bill in the next couple of weeks.
Voting on the bill’s 73 amendments began June 19, with 43 remaining for consideration June 20.
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