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Uncork New York - New York Wine & Grape Foundation New York Wine Grape Growers
800 South Main Street, Suite 200, Canandaigua, NY 14424
T: 585-394-3620 -- F: 585-394-3649 -- http://www.newyorkwines.org
PO Box 364
Keuka Park, NY 14478
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK WINE AND GRAPE ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORT
INTRODUCTION OF EAT HEALTHY AMERICA ACT
Washington, D.C., March 20th -Today, U.S. Representatives Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Randy Kuhl (R-NY), John Salazar (D-CO), Adam Putnam (R-FL), Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) introduced the Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act (EAT Healthy America Act), which is strongly supported by New York State wine and grape organizations which are participating in the annual conferences of WineAmerica and Winegrape Growers of America in Washington this week.
The New York Wine & Grape Foundation and the New York State Wine Grape Growers are members of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), and support this bill as a proactive step for ensuring that specialty crop policy priorities are included in the 2007 Farm Bill. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a national coalition of more than 90 specialty crop grower organizations, is dedicated to ensuring that 2007 Farm Bill includes policy provisions that enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. specialty crop industry and increase consumption of the over 300 specialty crops grown in the United States.
"This is an exciting development for our industry as well as our colleagues in New York State's apple, maple, vegetable and many other specialty crop sectors," said Jim Trezise, President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. "The grape, grape juice and wine industry is vitally important to the agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing sectors of New York's economy, generating over $6 billion of economic impact annually. This initiative is a comprehensive farm bill package providing the necessary framework to enhance the competitiveness of the specialty crop industry in New York State and across the country."
"Two months ago the Congressional Wine Caucus unveiled a national economic impact study showing that the wine, grape and grape products industries contribute over $162 billion to the American economy each year," said Jim Bedient, President of the New York State Wine Grape Growers and Chairman of Winegrape Growers of America. "As the debate on the 2007 Farm Bill takes shape we will work with the Agriculture Committees and the other members of Congress to ensure that the components of this legislation become a part of U.S. farm policy so that specialty crop industries like ours can continue growing and contributing even more to the federal, state and local economies."
"This bill provides a balanced approach for America's farmers, consumers, and economy while improving health and promoting sustainable agriculture as we move into the future," said Trezise. "While it is clear that specialty crop producers do not favor a direct payment program for themselves, it is equally clear that they expect their needs to receive the same attention as those of producers that have been the focus of previous farm programs. By establishing farm bill programs that address the priorities of both specialty crops and program crops, our farm policy will be more equitable for all of agriculture."
The EAT Healthy Act, a comprehensive farm bill geared towards the specialty crop industry, addresses many important issues and provides a vital pathway for the specialty crop industry to be competitive in an increasingly global marketplace. Some of the major issues addressed in the EAT Healthy America Act include the following:
* Competitiveness: increases access to valuable export markets by increasing the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program, the Market Access Program, the Block Grant Program and by raising the profile for specialty crops within USDA, USTR, and other key federal agencies.
* Nutrition: Expands the fruit and vegetable snack program in schools across the nation and develops new nutrition programs to assist producers in enhancing their markets.
* Research: Directs new investment in research priorities for specialty crops, through the National Research Initiative, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, and Agriculture Research Service.
* Invasive Pests and Disease: Increases research funding, enhances current resources, and authorizes and expands programs to assist in the prevention, detection, and eradication of invasive plant pests and disease.
CONTACTS:
Jim Trezise, jimtrezise@nywgf.org,