Washington, Sep. 27 - Growers of fruits, vegetables, nuts and nursery crops would gain a larger share of the U.S. farm program under a bill unveiled by 50 U.S. representatives on Wednesday.
The so-called Eat Healthy America bill would require federal nutrition programs to use more fruits and vegetables, offer block grants to expand domestic markets, expand research into "specialty" crops and encourage land stewardship.
By one estimate, it would increase federal spending by $3.5 billion a year on land stewardship and block grants to promote the crops.
Sponsors said the bill would keep in place a ban on growing fruits and vegetables on land eligible for federal crop subsidies. The ban, however, continues to be a point of contention with U.S.' trading partners.
But Richard Pombo, California Republican and a lead sponsor of the bill, said it would be unfair to end the prohibition. "I think it's unfair competition for guys who haven't gotten payments for 50 years."
Pombo is vice chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, and his proposal is likely to be considered when Congress overhauls farm policy, now slated for 2007.
Unlike grains, cotton and soybeans, specialty crops do not receive direct payments from the government. That would not change under the Eat Healthy bill. It would give money for land stewardship, allot $500 million a year for block grants for the industry, direct more spending on research into the crops and require public nutrition programs to follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
The bill is backed by four dozen specialty-crop groups, including the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association and the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance.