Perriello backs effort to help dairy farmers

On Wednesday, Congressman Tom Perriello supported the Conference Report on the FY10 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, which will boost rural economies and provide much needed help to the nation’s struggling dairy farmers. Once approved by the Senate, the conference report will go to President Obama for his signature. 

The Agriculture Appropriations bill supports key investments in rural America, including a total of $350 million to provide assistance to the nation’s dairy farmers who are struggling due to historically low prices. The bill will provide $290 million to assist struggling dairy producers and $60 million to allow for the purchase of cheese and other dairy products for food banks.

“Our dairy farms are a major part of our local economy and our heritage. As a member of the bipartisan Congressional Dairy Caucus, I’m glad we have acted swiftly to provide life-support to our struggling dairy farmers, and hope this is just the start of deeper reforms to provide market-based fairness for our hardworking dairy farmers,” said Perriello.

Additionally the bill provides funding for :
· Rural Development: Provides nearly $3 billion for USDA programs key to rural communities such as rural housing, water projects, community facilities and economic development efforts. These programs not only sustain our rural communities, but also create new opportunities for growth and development in the nation’s small town economies. The bill provides funding for programs that help house families, invest in rural businesses, and support new community facilities and rural utilities.
· Animal and Plant Health: Provides $910 million to fund programs that protect American agriculture against animal and plant diseases.
· Agricultural Research: Provides nearly $2.7 billion for USDA research agencies, including Agricultural Research Service and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (formerly called CSREES) for important agricultural research.
· Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Provides funding for food assistance to over 36 million low-income Americans. This includes an initiative to increase elderly participation, as only an estimated 30 percent of eligible seniors participate in SNAP.