Ag Appropriations Passes Conference

The conferees of the Senate and the House of Representatives met on Wednesday to approve the Agriculture Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2010. This bill covers funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Farm Credit Administration.

The bill includes $23.3 billion in discretionary budget authority. Agriculture research is identified to receive $2.8 billion, of which $1.25 billion is designated to Agricultural Research Service.

This budget also fully funds the costs to continue overseeing country of origin labeling for fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and other products.

The House and Senate plan to vote on the report next week.