Florida agriculture interest like House farm bill

Florida agriculture interest like House farm bill As the U.S. Senate begins the initial review of the 2007 Farm Bill, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson and other state agriculture industry leaders are lining up in support of the House version of the bill passed last week.
   They note the House bill contains increased federal funding that will help Florida's specialty crops — primarily citrus — including $1.7 billion in mandatory funding for nutrition programs that will help citrus producers in Florida. The program would put more citrus fruits into school lunches around the country.
   'Given that Florida is the second-largest producer of specialty crops in the country, clearly we are extremely pleased with the results,' Bronson said.
   Michael W. Sparks, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Florida Citrus Mutual, added: 'The funding boost this Farm Bill will give citrus greening research programs offers hope that we can unearth a scientific solution to the insidious disease which is threatening the very foundation of our $9 billion industry. Research is already in the pipeline and it is essential that it continues unabated.    We will continue to work hard in the coming months to ensure the U.S. Senate passes a similar version of this bill.”
   The Senate is scheduled to act on the bill in September.