Washington, DC — The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) today applauded Congress for including $3 billion dollars (over 10 years) in mandatory spending for apples and other specialty crops in the Farm Bill.

The legislation is historic since this is the first time specialty crops have been fully recognized in a Farm Bill. Specialty crop growers account for nearly half of all cash crop receipts in America, but they have been underrepresented in previous Farm Bills.

"Congress has shown that it recognizes the importance of specialty crops and is committed to an equitable farm policy," said Nancy Foster, president of USApple. "Apple growers are pleased to see a truly comprehensive and competitive Farm Bill. We are especially grateful to Senators Harkin and Chambliss and Representatives Peterson and Goodlatte for their strong leadership in moving this bill through their respective committees and chambers, and to our apple champions, Senator Stabenow and Representative Cardoza."

USApple, along with other members of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, have been working for the past three years to urge Congress to adopt a Farm Bill that emphasizes long-term competitiveness and sustainability of apple and specialty crop production rather than subsidy programs for farmers. This legislation meets industry objectives by including specific programs such as:

• Enhancement of critical trade assistance and market promotion tools, such as the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program, which will grow international markets for specialty crops.

• Expansion of Specialty Crop Block Grants to focus on regional and local priorities for specialty crop producers. These can be used for improving food safety, investing in infrastructure, enhancing market opportunities and supporting research aimed at specific industry needs.

• Establishment of a new Specialty Crop Research Initiative to provide science-based tools that address the needs of specific crops and regions and which continue advancements in productivity and technology.

• Expansion of the USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program to schools in all 50 states. The program provides a fresh fruit or vegetable snack to students from low-income families.

• Investment in early discovery and eradication to combat invasive plant pests and diseases, which cost our economy millions of dollars per year and threaten the future of many fruit and vegetable commodities.

• Creation of a new permanent disaster program for which apples and other specialty crops will be eligible. The disaster program includes mandatory funds for the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), which provides funds for tree replacement costs due to natural disasters.

• Creation and funding of a new Clean Plant Network for the express purpose of diagnosing and eliminating plant pathogens during propagation.

President Bush is expected to veto the legislation, but Congress is widely expected to override the veto.

Note: The text of this release can be downloaded from the News Releases section of USApple's Media Web site, at http://www.usapple.org/media/newsreleases/index.shtml. The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 36 state and regional apple associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 300 individual firms involved in the apple business. USApple'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.

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 36 state and regional apple associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 300 individual firms involved in the apple business. USApple'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.