2007 Industry News Releases

USApple Press Release Supporting House Farm Bill (July 20, 2007)
The House Agriculture Committee has included more than $1.6 billion dollars in mandatory spending for apples and other specialty crops in the 2007 Farm Bill – an increase of almost $1 billion over previous proposals and well above 2002 Farm Bill levels.

Senate Compromise is Important First Step for Ag Labor (May 24, 2007)
A bipartisan immigration reform measure being debated in the U.S. Senate is an important first step toward solving the labor crisis facing U.S. agriculture, according to the U.S. Apple Association. Without the reforms included in the measure, the apple industry and many other labor-intensive agricultural industries face a severe shortage of workers that will make it difficult, if not impossible, to harvest their crops. Such losses could easily signal the end of many agricultural operations across the nation and drive production offshore.

Farmers to Capitol Hill: Ag Needs Action on Immigration Reform Now (May 15, 2007)
As Congress revisits the complex issue of immigration reform, the U.S. Apple Association joined other American farmers, growers, producers and nurserymen on Capitol Hill to remind lawmakers that agriculture needs access to a legal and stable workforce. Their message is simple: the lack of a workable agricultural labor program, coupled with immigration enforcement, constitutes an absolute threat to the survival of the American farm.

Specialty Crops Partner with Federal Agencies to Address Research Needs (April 24, 2007)
The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) and other specialty crop industries convened a national workshop with four key federal agencies to identify common problems and solutions that will improve productivity and fruit quality. The purpose of the meeting is to develop a community of scientists, industry members and private sector technology providers and start a coordinated interagency process to prioritize research efforts and link grower needs with potential funding sources.

Farm Bill Offers Chance to "Rearrange Priorities" for Specialty Crop Industry (April 24, 2007)
Apple growers, and other specialty crop producers, are facing unprecedented challenges and the U.S. government needs to rearrange its priorities in agricultural policy, John Rice, an apple grower and packer from Gardners, PA, told members of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee today. Rice addressed a Committee hearing to support "The Specialty Crops Competition Act" (SCCA), S. 1160, which outlines the specialty crop industry’s goals for the 2007 Farm Bill.

U.S. Senate to Consider Specialty Crop Competitiveness Bill (April 19, 2007)
The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) applauds the introduction of the "Specialty Crops Competition Act of 2007." This bipartisan bill recognizes the challenges and opportunities facing U.S. apple growers in today's global market. Strong marketing, research, nutrition, and trade programs in the bill would help boost competitiveness and profitability and should be given serious consideration in the 2007 Farm Bill.

EAT Healthy America Act Would Provide Opportunities for Specialty Crops (March 16)
The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) applauds the reintroduction of the "Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act (EAT Healthy America Act)." The bipartisan bill, introduced by Representatives Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Adam Putnam (R-FL), John Salazar (D-CO), Randy Kuhl (R-NY), Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), is the first step to bringing U.S. farm policy in line with the reality of today’s American agricultural system. The measure drew co-sponsors from key apple-growing regions across the country.

USApple Praises Reintroduction of AgJOBS Legislation (January 10)
A bipartisan team in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives recently introduced legislation to reform the agricultural labor system. This move is critical for the continued survival of our nation’s apple industry, and other labor intensive agriculture. U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Larry Craig (R-CA), Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) along with Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) announced the introduction of the AgJOBS legislation in both Houses of Congress. The legislation, which is identical to the provisions that passed the Senate last year as part of the larger immigration package, will ensure labor intensive agriculture has access to a stable, legal and predictable supply of skilled labor.