Lampson Adds Nutrition and Bio-Products to Farm Bill

Press Release

Lampson Adds Nutrition and Bio-Products to Farm Bill

Two amendments offered by Congressman Nick Lampson (D-Stafford) this week were accepted during a marathon two-day markup of the Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 (H.R. 2419) by the House Agriculture Committee. The amendments focused on health and bio-based products.

The new farm bill makes historic investments in conservation, nutrition, and renewable energy, while maintaining a strong safety net for America's farmers and ranchers. Additionally, for the first time, the 2007 Farm Bill provides substantial funding for the fruit and vegetable industry.

"I am proud to have a part in writing such an important and far-reaching piece of agriculture legislation," said Congressman Lampson. "Every resident of southeast Texas will benefit from the boost in funding for health and nutrition, conservation, and bio-energy and bio-products. This nation has the safest, most affordable, and most abundant food and fiber supply in the world, and maintaining a strong agriculture sector benefits every American."

Congressman Lampson Fought for the Following Amendments for Southeast Texas and America:

· Healthy Oils Incentive Program: This amendment creates a one-time incentive to encourage development and commercialization of certain oilseeds and healthy oils to replace the use of trans-fats in foods. The program will commence if a public health need for adequate supplies of healthy oils is determined by the Department of Agriculture, now that more communities are banning or reducing the use of trans-fats. This amendment was supported by the American Heart Association, American Soybean Association, the National Sunflower Association, and the U.S. Canola Association.

· Federal Procurement of Bio-based Products: This amendment expands both policies on voluntary labeling of intermediate and finished biobased products, and procurement guidelines for federal agencies. Just as the federal mandate to purchase recycled paper spurred the growth of that industry, this program aims to do the same with biobased products. Expanded use of biobased products will help farmers, decrease our nation's dependence on foreign oil, and protect the environment. This amendment was supported by the American Soybean Association, Renewable Fuels Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and the National Biodiesel Board.

Congressman Lampson offered two more amendments related to oversight of the Food Stamp program, in response to recent problems in Texas and other states related to access, timeliness, and determinations of eligibility. These amendments were withdrawn with the understanding further language will be included in the final bill, so that Congress and the USDA conduct proper collection of data and oversight to ensure the integrity of the program.

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