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Specialty CROP Act of 2023
12/15/2023, 4:09 PM
Summary of Bill S 3300
The Specialty CROP Act of 2023 aims to provide funding and resources to help specialty crop producers improve their operations, increase their competitiveness in the market, and enhance the sustainability of their practices. The bill includes provisions for research and development, marketing and promotion, pest and disease management, and access to international markets.
Additionally, the bill seeks to address issues related to labor shortages in the specialty crop industry by providing support for workforce development programs and initiatives. It also includes measures to improve access to crop insurance and risk management tools for specialty crop producers. Overall, the Specialty CROP Act of 2023 is designed to support the specialty crop industry and help ensure the long-term viability and success of specialty crop producers in the United States.
Congressional Summary of S 3300
Specialty Crops Reporting on Opportunities and Promotion Act of 2023 or the Specialty CROP Act of 2023
This bill expands the annual reporting requirements for the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program to require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide specific information on the competitiveness of U.S. exports of specialty crops.
Specifically, the bill modifies the requirements for a congressionally mandated annual report on U.S. specialty crop trade issues to require USDA to report specific information on acts, policies, and practices of foreign countries that constitute significant barriers to, or distortions of, U.S. exports of specialty crops.
Further, USDA must consult with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on the report. Before preparing the report, USDA, in coordination with the USTR, must seek comments from the public and the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables.
Under the bill, USDA must submit the report to Congress in an unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. The unclassified portion of the report must be publicly available.
