Agriculture Supports $295.2 Million for AFRI

The American Sheep Indsutry Association, along with 43 other organizations representing agricultural producers and other groups that support food, fiber and agriculture production in the United States, supports the $295.2 million provided for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI). This was the point of letters sent to Sens. Herb Kohl (Wisc.) and Sam Brownback (Kan.) and Reps. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.) and Jack Kingston (Ga.), chairs and ranking members of the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies.

"We write to indicate our strong support for the $295.2 million provided for AFRI in the Senate-passed bill and urge you to sustain this level in conference," the letter read. "This is a significant step towards our goal of reaching the full authorized level of $700 million per year for this competitive research program."

"We believe that agricultural research is vital to the lives of citizens and the economic well-being of our nation. We urge you to agree to the Senate's proposed $295.2 million funding level for the AFRI as part of the fiscal year 2010 agricultural appropriations bill," concluded the signators.