[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 20, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S8884]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. Mack, Mrs. Boxer, Mrs. Feinstein, 
        and Mr. Bingaman):
  S. 1401. A bill to amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to promote 
the development and use of affordable crop insurance policies designed 
to meet the specific needs of producers of specialty crops, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry.


                      Specialty Crop Insurance Act

 Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise to express my support for 
the legislation being introduced today. I am proud to be a co-sponsor 
of the Specialty Crop Insurance Act of 1999 with my colleagues, 
Senators Graham, Mack, Boxer and Feinstein. The outcome of this 
legislative effort will have a profound effect on the economic health 
and well-being of specialty crop producers in my state of New Mexico, 
as well as for farmers across the country.
  Today's crop insurance program does not provide sufficient risk 
management protection to many specialty crop producers, leaving the 
growers vulnerable to risk. Specialty crops in New Mexico include 
chiles, pecans, lettuce, and pistachios. In fact, Dona Ana County ranks 
as the number one pecan-producing county in the nation according to a 
recent USDA census. And we produce 50% of the chiles used in the United 
States. However, at present, viable crop insurance policies which offer 
valid risk management protection are available for only a limited 
number of specialty crops. Many policies which are available fall short 
of reflecting the needs of producers. This means that the great 
majority of specialty crops farmers in this nation are without 
appropriate, adequate and affordable risk management protection. This 
legislation addresses the needs of those farmers who produce our fruits 
and vegetables, nuts, and greenhouse and nursery plants for affordable 
crop insurance policies.
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