WASHINGTON, D.C.-As Congressional leaders and Administration officials finalize details on the 2008 Farm Bill, Tom Stenzel, President and CEO, United Fresh Produce Association will make a final pitch to top agricultural leaders at USDA's 84th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum.
Stenzel will urge for swift passage of a Farm Bill that dedicates the highest level of funding to specialty crop growers. In addition, he will touch on food safety issues and encourage agricultural leaders to resolve the languishing immigration issue that impacts fruit and vegetable growers.
Additional information on the forum can be found at www.usda.gov/oce/forum/plenary.htm.
WHO:
Tom Stenzel, President and CEO, United Fresh Produce Association
WHAT:
Available to comment on the status of the Farm Bill debate, immigration reform and food safety issues impacting the specialty crops industry
WHERE:
USDA 84th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum
Crystal Gateway Marriot
1700 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Arlington, VA 22202
WHEN:
Thursday, February 21st at 10:15 a.m.
EXCERPTS FROM THOMAS E. STENZEL'S SPEECH TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:
ON THE 2008 FARM BILL:
"We strongly urge the conferees and the Administration to support the Senate's funding level as one of the most important steps you can take to make sure this Farm Bill doesn't just help farmers, but helps schoolchildren have greater access to the bounty of our nation's fruit and vegetable production. That is truly a win-win for both agriculture and the public."
ON IMMIGRATION REFORM:
"Without a breakthrough on immigration reform, our labor shortage won't go away either. There's probably no greater threat to our industry today than the shortage of workers and disregard for the future of specialty crop agriculture in America that is currently being shown by zealots on immigration."
ON FOOD SAFETY:
"Worldwide attention on food safety is placing significant demands on growers, and we will rise to that challenge better than anyone."
ON NUTRITIONAL HEALTH:
"Did you know that the 2005 Dietary Guidelines call for the average American to literally double their consumption of fruits and vegetables to achieve a healthy diet?"
ROLE OF SPECIALTY CROPS:
"With specialty crops already representing almost 50 percent of farm crop value, and fruits and vegetables representing 50 percent of all foods Americans should consume every day for better health, it is time for parity in the investments we make in agriculture."
"We strongly urge the conferees and the Administration to support the Senate's funding level as one of the most important steps you can take to make sure this Farm Bill doesn't just help farmers, but helps schoolchildren have greater access to the bounty of our nation's fruit and vegetable production. That is truly a win-win for both agriculture and the public."
ON IMMIGRATION REFORM:
"Without a breakthrough on immigration reform, our labor shortage won't go away either. There's probably no greater threat to our industry today than the shortage of workers and disregard for the future of specialty crop agriculture in America that is currently being shown by zealots on immigration."
ON FOOD SAFETY:
"Worldwide attention on food safety is placing significant demands on growers, and we will rise to that challenge better than anyone."
ON NUTRITIONAL HEALTH:
"Did you know that the 2005 Dietary Guidelines call for the average American to literally double their consumption of fruits and vegetables to achieve a healthy diet?"
ROLE OF SPECIALTY CROPS:
"With specialty crops already representing almost 50 percent of farm crop value, and fruits and vegetables representing 50 percent of all foods Americans should consume every day for better health, it is time for parity in the investments we make in agriculture."
"We strongly urge the conferees and the Administration to support the Senate's funding level as one of the most important steps you can take to make sure this Farm Bill doesn't just help farmers, but helps schoolchildren have greater access to the bounty of our nation's fruit and vegetable production. That is truly a win-win for both agriculture and the public."
ON IMMIGRATION REFORM:
"Without a breakthrough on immigration reform, our labor shortage won't go away either. There's probably no greater threat to our industry today than the shortage of workers and disregard for the future of specialty crop agriculture in America that is currently being shown by zealots on immigration."
ON FOOD SAFETY:
"Worldwide attention on food safety is placing significant demands on growers, and we will rise to that challenge better than anyone."
ON NUTRITIONAL HEALTH:
"Did you know that the 2005 Dietary Guidelines call for the average American to literally double their consumption of fruits and vegetables to achieve a healthy diet?"
ROLE OF SPECIALTY CROPS:
"With specialty crops already representing almost 50 percent of farm crop value, and fruits and vegetables representing 50 percent of all foods Americans should consume every day for better health, it is time for parity in the investments we make in agriculture."