Washington, D.C. — Today the U.S. Apple Association (USApple) strongly endorsed “Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act (EAT Healthy America Act).” The bipartisan bill, introduced by Representatives Richard Pombo (R-CA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Adam Putnam (R-FL) and John Salazar (D-CO), drew co-sponsors from key apple-growing regions across the country.

This legislation would create opportunities for the specialty crop industry, including apple growers, marketers and processors, explained USApple Chairman Kelly Henggeler, an apple grower and packer from Fruitland, ID. “The apple industry, along with other specialty agriculture, faces more challenges than ever before, and without appropriate assistance from the government, more U.S. growers will be forced out of business,” said Henggeler. “EAT Healthy America is the first step in the process. We applaud the bipartisan team that introduced this important bill.”

There are several key components of the legislation that will be particularly important to the apple industry. The bill provides critical assistance and tools that will increase demand for specialty crops and keep the industry competitive in a changing global market, dominated by nations with far fewer regulations, abundant labor and lower production costs.

One aspect the bill will address is international trade. “About a quarter of the apples grown for the fresh market in the U.S. in 2005 were exported around the globe,” noted Henggeler. “The tools provided in this legislation will help build international markets for specialty crops, address non-tariff trade barriers and allow U.S. growers to meet the fierce international competition now in the marketplace.”

The legislation also recognizes the vital role that a strong specialty crop industry plays not only for the health of our economy but for the health and well being of our citizens. Agriculture policy and federal feeding programs should better reflect the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to give all Americans an abundant and safe food supply that is also nutritious. “This legislation includes steps to improve the health and wellness of consumers. EAT Healthy America will help increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables and reverse our nation’s skyrocketing obesity rates and the health problems that this trend creates.”

The 2007 Farm Bill represents an opportunity to write a new chapter of American Farm Policy to make American farm policy truly comprehensive and competitive. A Farm Bill that treats all aspects of American agriculture equitably means a farm policy that touches all Americans. According to USDA, specialty crops represent more than $50 billion in farm-gate value and account for than 45% of farm-gate crop receipts. However, this sector of agriculture has been under-served by previous farm legislation. EAT Healthy America lays the groundwork for change in the coming legislation.

"We are not asking the government for direct handouts or subsidies," said Henggeler. “We are looking to this legislation for an investment in the future of specialty crops. We are asking for programs that help us grow demand for our products and build the long-term competitiveness of our industry.”

A list of organizations supporting EAT Healthy America and its principles are available online at the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance website— http://www.competitiveagriculture.org. High resolution photos from the introduction of the bill are available from USApple upon request.