California Farm Bureau applauds farm bill listening session

» August 12, 2005 «

(FRESNO, CA)- California Farm Bureau President Bill Pauli applauded the visit of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns during the Secretary's visit to Fresno today. Johanns hosted a Farm Bill Forum there as a part of his listening tour throughout the country. Pauli said he was confident that the information provided during the visit will give the Secretary a first-hand look at how diverse California agriculture is compared to the rest of the nation.

"California is unique because we face some of the highest labor costs, limited water resources, toughest environmental standards and an explosion in population growth," he said. "The 2007 farm bill must build off of the success of the 2002 Farm Bill while addressing these dynamics so our family farmers will be able to compete in tomorrow's world."

In addition, Pauli said that California farmers and ranchers need more support for conservation programs that allow rural communities to keep their working landscapes.

"These programs should encourage and expand the protection of working lands and habitat values, together."

Pauli also noted the importance of USDA's contribution to the future of trade and expressed hope that such efforts could be expanded.

"We want to thank the USDA for research and market development programs. As we face increased competition in foreign markets, the U.S. must be more aggressive with increased funding for programs that result in greater market development and access for U.S. agriculture."

Pauli stressed that as the movement of people and products increase, "we must be vigilant in protecting our agricultural production by investing in more research, maintaining the highest level of detection and eradication of pests and diseases at our points of entry."

Contact: Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

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