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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Amy Auth
202-225-2071/202-680-2395

Tonight, U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) helped farmers and ranchers in Northwest North Carolina by voting to pass H.R. 5384, the annual Agriculture appropriations bill for FY 2007.

“Our farmers play a vital role in our daily lives by producing food, clothes, pharmaceuticals and fuels,” said Rep. Foxx. “As someone who grew up milking a cow and raising row crops, I know firsthand what a difficult job farmers have and will support them every chance I get.”

Today’s bill will support farmers and ranchers by providing much-needed funding for research into public health issues and food safety. The bill also provides:

• $904 million for animal and plant health inspection service activities
• $80 million for Avian flu/pandemic countermeasures and monitoring
• $1.054 billion for Farm Service Agency salaries and expenses. These funds will be used to continue delivery of farm programs
• $791 million for conservation operations

Additionally, during floor consideration of the bill, Rep. Foxx opposed an amendment that would decrease the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) computer and software upgrade accounts. “I will not support any decrease to the account while North Carolina tobacco farmers are depending on crucial software updates for buyout payments,” she said.

Foxx has been disappointed with the USDA’s ability to provide local FSA agents with the software to completely carry out the tobacco buyout program and will continue working to ensure USDA has the resources needed to carry out its obligations.

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