02.12.02

SENATE APPROVES $100 MILLION FOR APPLE FARMERS

Murray and Cantwell succeed in passing emergency aid for Washington farmers

WASHINGTON, DC - At the urging of Senators Murray and Cantwell, the U.S. Senate today approved $100 million in emergency payments to apple growers on a vote of 69-31.

The apple assistance package was included in a disaster relief amendment to the Farm Bill sponsored by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT). The Baucus amendment also includes crop loss disaster assistance and livestock assistance desperately needed by farmers and ranchers in Washington state who were affected by last year's drought and storms.

The Senate is expected to approve its version of the Farm Bill on Wednesday, and it will then go to a joint House-Senate conference committee.

"Today, we're finishing the job we set out to do last year," said Sen. Patty Murray. "We're keeping our promise to fight for the apple assistance that our farmers from Omak to Walla Walla desperately need."

The Senators noted that rural communities and agricultural producers were being squeezed even before the economic recession. Around the nation, nearly all commodity producers are enduring low prices and trade challenges. In Washington state these problems are compounded by last year's drought and the energy crisis.

"This is a big victory for thousands of Washington state apple growers and their communities," Sen. Maria Cantwell said. "Help is on the way to the Washington state apple growers who have suffered due to market and climate conditions beyond their control."

The legislation builds on a $75 million apple assistance package that passed last November. Like last year's package, payments would be based on the first 5,000,000 pounds of a grower's 2000 apple production.