Calling the legislation a big win for fresh produce interests, industry advocates celebrated the signing of the farm bill by President Trump Dec. 20.
In an event that was attended by a host of lawmakers, administration officials and agricultural leaders, Trump signed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue called the bill a “Christmas present” to American agriculture. “Since early talks on this Farm Bill began back in 2017, I’ve always believed it would be more evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, and that has borne out to be true,” Perdue said in a statement.
With the new farm bill, industry leaders said they were able to hold on to programs important to the industry.
The legislation expands funding for key programs important to the apple industry, Jim Bair, president and CEO of the U.S. Apple Association, said in a statement.
“The 2018 Farm Bill is a major victory for fresh produce,” Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public Policy for the United Fresh Produce Association, said in a news release. “We would like to thank the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Agricultural Committee for their leadership in passing a farm bill that is good for both the fresh produce industry and consumers.”
In the release, United Fresh praised the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a coalition of more than 120 organizations that worked together on specialty crop priorities.
The National Potato Council, a founding member of the alliance, praised lawmakers of both parties.
“We sincerely appreciate the leadership of Senators Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow, along with Congressmen Mike Conaway and Collin Peterson,” John Keeling, executive vice president and CEO of the National Potato Council, said in a statement.“Their efforts to complete this strong Farm Bill were rewarded by the President’s signature today. We look forward to working with Secretary Perdue on a rapid implementation of this outstanding new bill.”
The legislation, according to United Fresh and U.S. Apple, includes policies that benefit the specialty crop industry:
- Providing $85 million per year to continue funding the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program;
- Full funding for Specialty Crop Research Initiative at $80 million, with an additional $25 million per year for the creation of a citrus trust fund to help combat citrus greening;
- Maintains funding for pest and disease research and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program; and
- Increases funding for the Food Insecurity and Nutrition Incentive.
- Maintains funding for federal crop insurance programs, including those that cover apples;
- Continued funding for important trade promotion programs, including $200 million for the Market Access Program and $9 million for the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops;
- Support for programs that combat invasive pests and diseases at $75 million annually;
- Preservation of the integrity of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program; and
- Strengthened “Buy American” provisions for foods purchased for federal feeding programs.
“We look forward to working with USDA and other industry partners to ensure a smooth implementation process,” Guenther said in the release. “By approving this legislation, both Congress and the President have affirmed the increasing importance of fresh produce and specialty crops in both our economy and our food supply.”
