News From…
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
Cardoza Hails Landmark Reforms in 2007 Farm Bill |
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 19, 2007 |
CONTACT: Jamie McInerney (202) 225-6131 |
| WASHINGTON – This week Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA-18) secured landmark reforms in the 2007 Farm Bill that will finally allow California farmers and producers equity to benefit from government farm programs. As approved by the House Committee on Agriculture today, the 2007 Farm Bill makes historic investments in specialty crops, conservation, and nutrition programs, as well as commonsense improvements to the subsidy programs.
“California agriculture is finally getting the respect and treatment it deserves. This is a huge win for California and the right policy for America,” said Cardoza. He continued, “Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Peterson deserve credit for producing a farm bill for the 21st century that will support America’s farmers and comply with House pay-go rules.”
The 2007 Farm Bill contains $1.6 billion for programs that are priorities to specialty farmers, conservationists, and nutrition advocates. This funding includes resources for research and pest detection, block grants, organic farming, farmer’s market promotion, the Environmental Quality Improvement Program (EQIP), and the National School Lunch Program, which helps provide fresh fruits and vegetables to school children.
Within the EQIP program the bill contains $150 million for air quality mitigation, which will help farmers comply with federal and local air pollution laws. These funds are critical for farmers in the San Joaquin Valley that has some of the worst air in the nation and the toughest air quality laws. The bill also contains important technical changes that will allow more California farmers to be eligible for authorized farming programs.
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