Congressman Adam Putnam today welcomed news that federal support for specialty crop research is forthcoming.  Florida will receive approximately $5 million, which will go toward improving the viability of the state’s fruit and vegetable production.

“Specialty crops often don’t get the federal attention they need, but we began to change that with the last Farm Bill,” said Putnam, who was a member of the House and Senate Conference Committee that finalized the 2007 legislation.  “Florida is the second largest producer in the nation of fruit, vegetable and nursery crops.  The federal support for these specialty crops doesn’t’ come in the form of direct payments to farmers, but instead goes toward research, pest and disease eradication and expanding markets for American producers.  This is wise policy and ultimately helps put the safest, most nutritious food on American dinner tables.”

Among the $46 million in grants announced by USDA are $1.96 million for research to fight the laurel wilt disease which scientists say could destroy Florida’s avocado crop and $1.89 million to the University of Florida for research into the sustainability and profitability of blueberry production, a rapidly growing segment of Florida agriculture.

In addition the University of Florida will partner with the University of California on a food safety grant of $3.9 million to enhance quality and safety of specialty crops. Putnam is the author of several provisions in a major food safety bill passed in the House earlier this year (HR 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act).

Since 2001, Putnam has represented Florida’s 12^th Congressional District, which includes most of Polk County and portions of Hillsborough and Osceola counties.