Specialty crop provisions in farm bill draw praise from ag groups

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s markup of its draft farm bill has been postponed until March 3 due to weather-related travel disruptions on the East Coast.

The delay comes as specialty crop organizations intensify efforts to ensure their priorities are reflected in the legislation.

A draft released Feb. 13 by the House committee includes several provisions specific to specialty crops, including a proposed framework for delivering future emergency assistance.

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) applauded those provisions, particularly the proposed Specialty Crop Emergency Assistance Framework.

“In partnership with the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, we have long advocated for a dedicated emergency structure tailored to the distinct production risks and market realities facing fruit, vegetable, tree nut, horticulture and nursery growers,” IFPA said in a statement. “The proposed first-ever Specialty Crop Emergency Assistance Framework would establish clear parameters for delivering timely and targeted economic assistance while ensuring specialty crops are no longer reliant on programs designed primarily for other crops.

“Growers are facing unprecedented, ongoing economic pressure, including persistent labor shortages, rising input costs and supply chain volatility. This framework would provide much-needed predictability and a dependable pathway for assistance when it is most needed.”

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman said last week that his committee expects to take up its version of the farm bill in the coming months.

Meanwhile, a separate bipartisan measure aims to strengthen export opportunities for specialty crop growers, including tree nut producers.

The Specialty Crops Reporting on Opportunities and Promotion Act, introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo and Ranking Member Ron Wyden, would enhance the annual U.S. Specialty Crops Trade Issues Report.

The bill would require formal participation by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, identify specific tariff and non-tariff barriers limiting specialty crop exports in key markets, outline actions taken or planned to resolve those barriers, and require the report to be made public, with a classified annex permitted when necessary.

The legislation continues to define “specialty crop” as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.

For tree nut exporters, the measure could provide greater transparency and accountability in addressing trade barriers that affect global competitiveness.