United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association

Week In Review
April 28, 2000

Table of Contents:

Senator Daschle Takes Lead on Funding for Nutrition Initiatives

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (SD) is taking the lead encouraging Members of the Senate to support a $30 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase nutrition and physical activity intervention activities like the 5 A Day program at the state and local levels. Sen. Daschle’s support and activities are in response to efforts by United and its coalition members of the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (NANA). This funding request will be considered in the coming weeks by the Senate Appropriations Committee as a part of the FY 2001 appropriations measure for the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Related Agencies. Sen. Daschle is preparing to send a letter to Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and other key Members of the Senate underscoring the urgency to encourage Americans to eat a healthier diet and be more physically active. “The Surgeon General, National Academy of Sciences, CDC, USDA, and other experts have concluded that Americans must change their diets and become more physically active if the rates of illness and premature death are to be reduced,” said Sen. Daschle. “In addition, according to the USDA, healthier eating habits could reduce the costs of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes by at least $71 billion each year.”
Details: Donna Denison, ddenison@uffva.org

Congressional Report Reinforces Safety of Biotech Foods

U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (Ill.) and Chairman of the House Science Subcommittee on Research Rep. Nick Smith (Mich.) have released a report finding that genetically modified foods are safe to eat. The report, Seeds of Opportunity, is based on numerous hearings last hear on agricultural biotechnology issues and in addition to its findings, makes six specific recommendations to the Administration, USDA, FDA and Congress regarding biotech foods. Seeds of Opportunity noted that there is no scientific basis for the labeling of foods produced with biotechnology and labeling could confuse consumers regarding the safety of biotech food products. The report further recommends that the FDA should maintain its current science-based policy on food labeling. “Agricultural biotechnology holds tremendous potential to provide consumers safe and nutritious foods, feed a growing world population, protect the environment, aid farmers, and lower costs to consumers,” Smith said. “Implementing the recommendations in this report would ensure that this potential is fulfilled.” “We applaud the efforts to bring forward clear and concise information on the safety of biotech foods,” said United Vice President Dr. Donna Garren.
Details: Dr. Donna Garren, dgarren@uffva.org

Farmer Tax Legislation Introduced in the Senate

Senate Budget Committee Member Kent Conrad (ND) recently introduced S. 2422, The Farm Relief and Economic Development Act of 2000 that would provide farmers a variety of tax breaks. The focus of S. 2422 is a provision allowing farmers to make contributions to tax-deferred farm and ranch risk management accounts. Also included in the legislation is clarification of the self-employment tax that applies to farm lease income, a provision for capital gains relief on the sale of farm residences and farmland, and lengthening the net operating loss carryback period for farmers to 10 years.
Details: Donna Denison, ddenison@uffva.org

House to Consider Tax Bills: Repealing the Estate Tax on the Agenda

House Majority Leader Richard Armey (Texas) has announced that the House will consider six tax bills when lawmakers return from the Easter recess, including a measure to repeal the estate tax, otherwise known as the death tax. Other tax measures on the agenda to be considered and debated by the House include: creating education savings accounts; repealing the 100-year-old telephone tax; keeping the Internet tax-free; creating special renewal communities in depressed rural and urban areas; and, expanding IRA contribution levels and expanding their availability. “The estate tax has been a burden on the family farm and all family businesses for years putting many out of business,” said United Director of Legislative Affairs Donna Denison. “United will continue to work aggressively to eliminate excessive tax burdens impacting the industry.”
Details: Donna Denison, ddenison@uffva.org

House Appropriations Legislation Coming Soon

It has been heard that the House Appropriations Committee plans to complete markup of the majority of the 13 appropriations bills to be considered by the end of May. The Military Construction and legislative Appropriations Bill is likely to be the first bill the committee plans to markup immediately followed by The Agriculture Appropriations Bill. Both bills are traditionally the first to be considered and passed by Congress. Tentative subcommittee markup of the Agriculture Appropriations bill is scheduled for May 4, with full committee markup to occur on May 10. The full House would likely consider The Agriculture Appropriations Bill on May 19.
Details: Donna Denison, ddenison@uffva.org