News From…
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 7, 2007 |
CONTACT: Jamie McInerney (202) 225-6131 |
| WASHINGTON – Today the House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture, Chaired by Congressman Dennis Cardoza, marked up and passed legislation authorizing provisions of the Farm Bill in the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.
“This Subcommittee was created out of a need to focus more attention on organic agriculture and specialty crops,” said Cardoza. “I believe we have crafted a thoughtful and responsible Subcommittee mark today which recognizes the needs of these important sectors of American agriculture. I would like to thank all members of the Subcommittee for their insight, cooperation, and patience in this process.”
The legislative priorities addressed in the markup included:
· Extending the specialty crop block grant program.
· Doubling the current legal requirement for USDA purchases of fruits and vegetables in the program known as section 32.
· Addressing threats to specialty crops from pests and disease by providing detection, surveillance, mitigation, and eradication resources.
· Expanding USDA’s cost-share program to help more organic producers obtain organic certification.
· Giving growers new tools for cooperating to fight food-borne illness.
· Requiring USDA to continue to study Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
· Changing agency authorizations to allow USDA to conduct agricultural pest detection operations along our international borders instead of the Department of Homeland Security.
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