Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004-Continued
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2004-CONTINUED
TREE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FUNDING
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I would like to recognize Senator Bennett and Senator Kohl for their effort on behalf of our Nation's farmers. At this time, I would like to engage them in a colloquy regarding the need to provide aid to the fruit orchards of Western New York through the Tree Assistance Program.
Mr. BENNETT. I thank the Senator from New York for his kind remarks, and would be happy to engage in a colloquy with him.
Mr. KOHL. I am also happy to engage in this colloquy with the Senator from New York.
Mr. SCHUMER. As the Senators may know, New York is the third largest producer of tart cherries in the nation and Wayne County is the largest cherry-producing county in New York. Unfortunately, fruit orchards throughout Western New York sustained major damages as a result of a 3-day long ice storm in April. Approximately 85 percent of the tart cherry trees in Wayne County were severely damaged or destroyed by the storm. Throughout the region, sweet cherry, peach, pear, apple and plum trees were destroyed by the violent ice storm. The impact that these losses are already having on the fruit tree industry in New York is devastating and will continue to effect growers in for years to come since it takes new trees over eight years to mature. In fact, it is estimated that losses resulting from this April's storms could reach a total of $15,000,000.
Federal assistance is greatly needed to cover the expenses of removing and replacing the ruined trees. The Tree Assistance Program (TAP) was created in order to help farmers facing the challenges now faced by those in Western New York. The TAP provides assistance to eligible growers who have lost trees used for commercial purposes as a result of a natural disaster.
Since its reauthorization, the TAP has yet to receive funding in order to carry out its mission. However, the House-passed version of the FY04 Agricultural Appropriations Act contains $5,000,000 in funding for the TAP program in order to provide assistance to the growers of Western New York. The inclusion of these funds in this year's USDA budget are extremely important to the long term health of the fruit industry in New York.
Mr. BENNETT. I appreciate the comments of the Senator from New York, and assure him that I will take his concerns into consideration when conferencing the House and Senate bills.
Mr. KOHL. I too, appreciate the difficulties facing these farmers, and will work with the chairman to do what we can during conference.