Agriculture Rural Development, Food And Drug Administration, And Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006

Agriculture Rural Development, Food And Drug Administration, And Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006

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Mr. FARR. Mr. Chairman, I rise to engage in a colloquy with the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla), chairman of the subcommittee.

I want to thank the chairman and the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), ranking member, for their work on this fiscal year 2006 agriculture appropriations bill. I appreciate what they have done with what they have had to work with. I also want to thank the professional staff: Martin, Maureen, Leslie, Tom, and Martha. They have done a tremendous job in putting together a balanced bill.

Mr. Chairman, under our tight budget constraints, we are happy to see that the USDA CSREES Integrated programs, such as the Section 406 Organic Transition Program, that were moved into the National Research Initiative are directed to be funded at last year's levels.

As a point of clarification, I would like to verify my understanding that the committee's intent is that the Organic Transition Program, although proposed to be funded through the National Research Initiative, will continue to be managed, as it was in fiscal year 2004 and fiscal year 2005, as part of the Integrated Organic Program. Specifically, that the request for proposals will continue to be issued jointly with that of the Organic Research Initiative under the management of USDA CSREES staff, including the Organic National Program leader.

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