In this issue

Funding Support for Newsletter

Pest Updates, Alerts

European Corn Borer and "UCB" Flights--2002

Revised Vegetable Pesticide "Plant-Back" Updates for 2002

New Farm Bill and the Produce Industry

New Risk Management Publication for Specialty Crop Growers

New Farm Bill and the Produce Industry

May 13, 2002, the president signed the farm bill into law, ushering in several initiatives welcomed by the produce industry.

The bill signed by President George W. Bush will increase agricultural subsidies by $45 billion over the next six years. The law expires in 2007, but it authorizes about $190 billion in spending through 2011.

Of interest to the produce industry is the increase in Market Access Program (MAP) funding from $90 million a year to $200 million over a five-year period. The funding is an important component of efforts to open foreign markets.

Also include in the bill is mandatory country-of-origin labeling by 2004, a provision which provides $2 million a year to assist fruit and vegetable producers combating non-tariff trade barriers, as well as $94 million in aid to apple growers.

According to Thomas E. Stenzel, president and CEO of United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, the Farm Bill breaks new ground in addressing the needs of growers across the United States.

"We are pleased with the outcome of the Farm Bill," said Stenzel. "Much of the thanks for getting to where we are at today goes out to all in the industry who made this a top priority over the last 18 months. We also look forward to working closely with the Administration on implementing the Farm Bill provisions important to the produce industry," Stenzel said.

Editor's Note: For complete information about the new Farm Bill, view the Minnesota Extension web site: http://www.extension.umn.edu/farmbill/

Copyright, Great American Publishing
The Vegetable Growers News
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Co-Editors: Bill Hutchison, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, hutch002@tc.umn.edu
Jeanne Ciborowski, IPM Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us
Cindy Tong, Department of Horticulture, University of Minnesota, ctong@extension.umn.edu
Production Editor: Suzanne Wold, Research Assistant, University of Minnesota, woldx018@tc.umn.edu

Disclaimer
Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in this publication assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer

Last Revised June 14, 2002.
The University, including the Minnesota Extension Service, is an equal opportunity educator and employer.©2002 Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Contact copyright@extension.umn.edu for information on reproduction or use of this material.