Washington, D.C. — For the first time, the House of Representatives this afternoon included a new Horticulture Title in the 2007 Farm Bill as part of the "Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2007" (H.R. 2419), and approved the bill in a 231-191 vote.

The Farm Bill's new title is a historic victory for the apple industry and other fruit and vegetable growers who have worked tirelessly for more than two years urging Congress to recognize the importance and challenges facing the specialty crop industry.

"Apple growers joined other specialty crop producers to urge a bold and different path in this Farm Bill," said Foster. "They took this message to Congress and the Bush Administration in a unified voice. Rather than receive direct income payments or subsidies, this bill now gives them strong tools to increase competitiveness and reduce costs."

Over $1.6 billion of secured funding is included in the new, 5 year Farm Bill. This increased funding is far above 2002 Farm Bill levels and will be used to increase market opportunities, grow demand, lower costs, increase competitiveness and encourage participation in conservation.

"The U.S. House of Representatives made apples and other specialty crops a high priority because of their vital role in contributing to a safer, healthier and more nutritious food supply," said Nancy Foster, President of the U.S. Apple Association (USApple). "During the often acrimonious and partisan debate on the bill last night and today, Democrats and Republicans alike, both urban and rural, praised the bill's significant new provisions for fruits and vegetables as important to nutrition, health and the farm economy."

Specialty crop growers account for nearly half of all cash crop receipts in America, but have historically been underrepresented in previous Farm Bills.

"We are pleased that the House defeated adverse amendments and passed this bill. The U.S. apple industry thanks the House leadership, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN), Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and members of the Committee for their support," said Foster.

As a member of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a coalition of more than 120 specialty crop organizations, USApple helped design and gain passage for this new Farm Bill in order to grow opportunities for long-term, sustained apple industry investment and profitability, and meet production and marketing challenges. Included are new and expanded programs to promote nutrition, expand research, improve pest management, enhance stewardship, and help increase exports so consumers can enjoy more apples and other healthful fruits, vegetables and products. Reps. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), John Salazar (D-CO), Randy Kuhl (R-NY), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Adam Putnam (R-FL) worked to build support.

"The House-passed Farm Bill recognizes needs of the U.S. apple industry, invests in our priorities, and is a strong step in the right direction towards a more equitable Farm Bill. We look forward to building on this success for apple growers in the U.S. Senate," said Foster.

The 2007 Farm Bill is expected to be considered by the Senate Agriculture Committee in September, followed by Senate floor action and a House-Senate Conference Committee to resolve differences between the House and Senate bills.

Note: The text of this release an 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.