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Committee
approves funding for apple maggot monitoring program
The
House General Government Appropriations Committee voted
Friday to move a bill that would fund apple maggot monitoring systems.
Rep. Bruce
Chandler, R-Granger,
co-sponsored the
companion measure in the House.
Senate Bill 5765 would provide $150,000 from the Fruit and Vegetable
Inspection
Account to help control apple maggots. The account is
funded through assessments paid for by the produce industry.
"Washington is first in the nation for apple exports. If we can't prove
our apples are not infested, no one will buy Washington apples,"
Chandler said. "This $150,000 will protect at least $300 million in
apple exports to places around the world."
As
ranking Republican on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee,
Chandler believes the monitoring program is crucial to protect
Washington's agricultural exports and interests.
"Agriculture will help lead us back to economic prosperity," Chandler
said. "We must do everything we can to help farmers, processors and all
those involved in agriculture to be successful."
The
bill now goes to the House Rules Committee for consideration on the
floor calendar. It was passed out of the Senate 46-0.
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For more information, contact:
Sarah Lamb, Public Information
Officer - (360) 786-7720
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