Raspberries and Cranberries:
Raspberry growers throughout Southwest Washington have faced growing and unfair competition from subsidized Chilean imports dumped into markets below our growers’ costs. Congressman Baird has worked closely with local growers and led congressional efforts to end this illegal dumping of Chilean raspberries. As a result of his efforts, there is now a 6.33% anti-dumping tariff on Chilean imports and the domestic market is beginning to stabilize. Baird also helped secure a grant from the Agriculture Department which offset a fraction of the losses raspberry growers endured from the dumped Chilean imports.

Cranberry growers have also faced challenges.  Surpluses in 2000 and 2001 caused a drop in prices that threatened the viability of the cranberry industry.  Congressman Baird successfully passed an amendment through Congress that directed the USDA to purchase additional cranberries and provide $20 million in market loss payments to help growers weather the low prices.  In 2004, a paperwork delay at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) threatened to disrupt growers’ ability to harvest their berries in a timely manner. Congressman Baird personally intervened and convinced the EPA to expedite their procedures and allow the harvest to begin on schedule. Fortunately, the cranberry market has begun to improve and growers are beginning to once again make ends meet, but they face ongoing challenges and Congressman Baird is committed to helping them meet those challenges.

Raspberries and Cranberries are specialty crops, meaning they do not receive subsidies through government farm programs similar to cotton or grains.  To help support specialty crops without providing subsidies, Congressman Baird supports the Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act.  The legislation will allow specialty crop growers, like berry growers, access to marketing and conservation programs in the Department of Agriculture.

Shellfish:
The West Coast shellfish industry annually produces approximately $85 million worth of oysters, clams and mussels. The shellfish produced on these farms bring new dollars and valuable jobs to rural West Coast communities, including many in Southwest Washington. Recognizing the importance of the shellfish industry to Southwest Washington and the entire country, Congressman Brian Baird established the Congressional Shellfish Caucus in 2005. The Caucus provides a platform for those within Congress to meet, exchange ideas and gain information about the shellfish industry.  Recently, members of the Shellfish Caucus asked that shellfish be included as a specialty crop so growers could gain access to marketing assistance.

To help meet the threats of Spartina grass, Congressman Baird has worked closely with Congressman Norm Dicks (WA-06) to bring millions of dollars to eradicate Spartina from the Willapa Bay and other estuaries.  In the House 2007 Interior bill, Congressman Baird helped secure $1.5 million to support the ongoing Spartina Elimination Project.

Dairy:
Congressman Baird is a strong advocate for Southwest Washington dairy farmers. When the dumping of foreign produced Milk Protein Concentrate threatened the viability of small local farms, Congressman Baird co-sponsored legislation to end the illegal dumping. When declines in milk prices threatened to bankrupt Southwest Washington dairy producers, Congressman Baird supported temporary assistance to help farmers through the particularly difficult time. Congressman Baird also supported the most recent comprehensive Farm Bill, which provided significant assistance to small dairy farmers. In 2007 Congress will take up the next Farm Bill, and Congressman Baird will continue to ensure that dairy farmers’ needs are met.

Research:
Congressman Baird has helped secure funds for research affecting crops throughout Southwest Washington.

Congressman Baird has worked to find funding to develop new cranberry varieties, which would allow Southwest Washington growers to produce berries of superior quality to foreign imports. In the 2007 House Agriculture bill, he secured $443,000 for the Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research, which conducts research on innovative genetic and environmental technologies that is intended to increase grower returns and improve product taste and quality. This research will help keep our area’s growers competitive in the global marketplace.

To support shellfish growers, he has also worked with regulatory agencies to help expedite the availability of more effective and environmentally sensitive herbicides, to combat Spartina and ghost shrimp. In the House 2007 Agriculture bill, he obtained $756,000 for the Aquaculture Research Initiative at Washington State University. This funding helps researchers address the needs of shellfish growers, including finding a responsible method to eliminate burrowing shrimp.

Congressman Baird has repeatedly joined with other members of the Washington Congressional delegation to secure funding for a new Agriculture Research Service facility in Washington.  The state-of-the-art facility will provide scientists with improved agriculture research laboratories and equipment, and in turn help them continue to improve the economic productivity and profitability of agriculture in the Pacific Northwest.

Conservation Programs:
Congressman Baird believes there must be an appropriate balance between utilizing land for agricultural purposes, and preserving our environmental resources for future generations. Unfortunately, many farmers seeking assistance for the remediation of polluted runoff and soil erosion, and the restoration of wetlands are unable to receive funding under the current funding structure.

Congressman Baird believes we must help farmers meet the public demand for clean water and air, open spaces, and safe, fresh food. As a result, he supports programs that provide farmers, ranchers, and foresters with economic incentives to adopt environmentally-responsible, sustainable stewardship practices. Such programs promote economic development, without damaging our limited natural resources.  Congressman Baird is a supporter of the Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act.  The comprehensive legislation reallocates federal farm spending to these important conservation programs.