WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) voted in support of H.R. 2997, the final conference report on the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday.  The bill includes $487,000 requested by Stupak for projects that will benefit Northern Michigan.  H.R. 2997 provides funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies.

“These projects are crucial to protecting the economic well-being of farmers and sportsmen and women throughout Northern Michigan, which in turn strengthens the entire state,” Stupak said.  “In addition to these specific projects the First Congressional District has much to gain from this bill, including the funding of development opportunities in rural areas and the protection of our nation’s food supply.”

Additionally, the bill provides $350 million in assistance to dairy farmers, who are struggling due to historically low dairy prices.  This assistance includes $290 million for dairy producers and $60 million to allow for the purchase of cheese and other dairy products for food banks.

The bill now awaits a final vote in the U.S. Senate before going to the president for his signature.

Projects Requested by Stupak:

$346,000 for Bovine Tuberculosis eradication.  Funding will be used for research on preventing and mitigating bovine tuberculosis from cattle in Michigan and Minnesota.  Bovine TB poses a significant risk to the health of domestic livestock, wildlife and other animals. 

$139,000 for Cormorant Control.  Funding will be used to reduce damage by the double-crested cormorant that continues to wreck havoc on sport and commercial fisheries in Northern Michigan. 

Multi-State Projects

$4,841,000 for wood utilization.  Funding will be used to develop innovative technology for the manufacture of products from eastern hardwood species in order to enhance economic opportunities for rural and urban communities.

$248,000 for Bovine Tuberculosis eradication.  Funding will be used to coordinate and implement programs nationwide to eliminate tuberculosis from cattle in the United States.

$404,000 for Great Lakes Basin Program for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control conservation operations.  Funding will be used to protect and improve water quality in the Great Lakes through financial incentives, education and professional assistance.

$39,705,000 for Emerald Ash Borer monitoring, containment and eradication.  Funding will be used to combat and contain the emerald ash borer currently threatening 7.5 billion tress with an economic value of more than $300 billion.

H.R. 2997 provides more than $4.2 billion for the two federal agencies primarily responsible for the safety of the nation’s food supply, the Food and Drug Administration and the Food Safety Inspection Service.  Stupak has been active in food safety issues as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and wrote food safety reform legislation passed by the House earlier this year.

The bill also includes $2.979 billion, an increase of $246 million above 2009, for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program, which supports rural housing, water projects, community facilities and economic development efforts in rural America.

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