Vienna, Va. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun releasing funds totaling $94 million for apple market loss assistance payments for losses sustained during the 2000 apple crop. The $94 million was awarded to the U.S. apple industry as a part of the farm bill passed in May 2002. The funds are specifically designed to offset a portion of the devastating losses suffered during the 2000 apple crop due to low market prices caused by economic losses and foreign competition.

"We are extremely pleased to bring this reprieve to apple growers who suffered serious economic stress in the 2000 crop year. Congress recognized the deep crisis facing the apple industry and provided this temporary assistance to growers who operate without traditional farm program support," said U.S. Apple Association (USApple) President and CEO Nancy E. Foster, whose group spearheaded efforts to include the apple assistance provision. "This economic relief comes none too soon for America's apple growers, many of whom have struggled over the past few years."

This $94 million is in addition to two other market loss assistance payments advocated successfully by USApple, approved by Congress, and signed into law by the President. A total of $175 million was approved as part of the 2001 and 2002 agricultural appropriations acts, with $75 million in FY 2002 and $100 million in FY 2001. Thus, USApple's efforts generated a total of $269 million in direct assistance for apple growers over the past three years.

America's apple growers are experiencing the worst economic losses in more than 70 years, having lost nearly $1.7 billion since 1996, including an estimated $700 million over the past two years, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics.

USApple works to build profitable opportunities for all segments of the U.S. apple industry through its public affairs, public relations and industry information programs.

Note: The text of this release can be downloaded from the News Room section of USApple's Web site, at http://www.usapple.org/media/newsreleases/index.cfm.

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state and regional apple associations representing the 8,000 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 400 individual firms involved in the apple business. The U.S. Apple Association's mission is to provide the means for all segments of the U.S. apple industry to join in appropriate collective efforts to profitably produce and market apples and apple products.