Moolenaar Supports Michigan Agriculture
Today, the House Appropriations Committee passed legislation funding the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the 2018 federal fiscal year which begins on October 1, 2017.
The legislation includes funding for critical USDA programs including food safety and rural infrastructure.
Congressman Moolenaar supported the legislation and released the following statement:
"This legislation supports Michigan agriculture with important funding for agricultural research and food inspection. It also supports good-paying jobs, spurring investment in rural water and utility infrastructure. Michigan is a leader in agriculture and today's legislation will help our state's farmers continue to put food on the tables of families in Michigan and around the world."
The following details about the legislation are from the Appropriations Committee:
Agricultural Research – The bill provides $2.8 billion for agriculture research programs, including the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This funding will support research at all ARS facilities to help mitigate and stop devastating crop diseases, improve food safety and water quality, increase production and combat antimicrobial resistance. This funding also includes important research investments in U.S. land-grant colleges and universities and for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's premier competitive research program.
Animal and Plant Health – The legislation includes $906 million for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. This funding will support programs to help control or eradicate plant and animal pests and diseases that can be crippling to U.S. producers.
Food Safety and Inspection Service – The legislation includes $1.038 billion for food safety and inspection programs. These mandatory inspection activities help ensure the safety and productivity of the country's meat and poultry industry and keeps safe, healthy food on American tables. The funding provided will maintain more than 8,000 frontline inspection personnel for meat, poultry and egg products at more than 6,400 facilities across the country.
Rural Infrastructure – The legislation includes responsible investments in infrastructure to help rural areas of the country access basic utilities. This includes $1.25 billion for rural water and waste program loans, and $473 million for grants and related costs. In addition, $6.94 billion is provided for rural electric and telephone infrastructure loans.