Putnam Introduces Food-Promotion Bill
Rep. Adam Putnam has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at reflecting the significant role of fruit, vegetable, and horticulture production to the U.S. farm economy and elevating its role in the development American agricultural policy.
H.R. 6193, the Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act (EAT Healthy America Act), whose main sponsors include Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA) and representatives Dennis Cardozo (D-CA) and John Salazar (D-CO), is being introduced now so that specialty crops will have a seat at the table when the negotiations begin to reauthorize the Farm Bill program next year.
“The specialty crop industry represents a significant segment of American agriculture, but since they are not considered ‘program crops,’ specialty crops are often ignored when it comes to the development and implementation of U.S. farm policy,” stated Rep. Putnam, Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. “This important agricultural sector, accounting for over a third of U.S. farm cash receipts, faces increasing challenges in the production and marketing of their commodities that must be addressed if they are to remain competitive.
“With a contribution of over $34 billion in farmgate value, the fruit, vegetable, and horticulture industry has a large stake in our nation’s agricultural policy and Florida leads the nation production of many of these crops,” Putnam continued.
Historically, specialty crop producers have chosen to base their economic decisions on the marketplace, focusing on long-term competitiveness and sustainability, and have not relied on federal farm price support programs. However, this industry, so critical to Florida, faces extreme and somewhat unique pressures as well great opportunities for growth.
“At a time when America is focusing on the health of its citizens, it is important to update existing programs to today’s concerns,” Putnam concluded. “By promoting the consumption of America’s bounty, we can improve the health of our children while fostering environmental stewardship and bolstering the food security of this nation.”
The legislation has the endorsement of a wide range of state and national agricultural, nutritional and conservation organizations.
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