Washington, DC — - The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) today commended Congress for overriding President Bush's veto of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (a.k.a, the Farm Bill), which includes more than $3 billion (over 10 years) for specialty crops, including apples.

"Today we have witnessed the passing of historic legislation that will greatly enhance the significance of specialty crops in national farm policy and provide an important allocation of resources and funding for apple growers and other apple industry businesses," said Nancy Foster, president of USApple. "We look forward to working with USDA and other relevant entities to implement the important programs and principles contained in the bill."

The legislation received broad bi-partisan support. Its passage comes after three years of intensive and passionate campaigning by USApple and other members of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA). The specialty sector includes fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery crops.

Farm Bill components that will directly benefit apple growers include:

• Funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and expansion of the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program, which are designed to enhance apple sales and distribution in existing and emerging global markets.

• Expansion of Specialty Crop Block Grants that 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, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality, taste and nutrition of fruits and vegetables.

• Expansion of the USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program to schools in all 50 states, specifically targeting students from low-income families. The expansion strengthens the commitment to improving nutrition and reducing childhood obesity by providing a fresh fruit or vegetable snack.

• 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.

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.