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CONGRESSMAN BISHOP FIGHTS TO PROTECT PECAN INDUSTRY

April 14, 2016

ALBANY, GA – Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) successfully included language in the Fiscal Year 2017 Agriculture Appropriations Bill protecting pecan processors and one of Georgia’s largest industries. If signed into law, the bill would require the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to include pecans in its preliminary report, providing pecan processors with necessary figure estimates related to the overall size of the crop produced and cost of product. Pecan growers and processors depend on accurate and timely pecan inventory reports for making informed marketing decisions.

“Georgia’s Second Congressional District is one of the largest pecan producing Congressional District in the nation,” said Congressman Bishop. “I intend to fight for U.S. growers and processors to ensure they are provided with the information necessary to continue generating billions for pecan industry.”

“The Georgia Pecan Growers Association thanks Congressman Sanford Bishop for his efforts towards reauthorization of the National Agricultural Statistics Service funding for pecans,” said Jeb Barrow, President of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association. “The ready availability of reliable inventory information is especially helpful for smaller growers. This is a victory for small growers.”

“The US Pecan Growers Council and the 10,000 pecan growers and processors from the Carolinas to California would like to thank Congressman Sanford Bishop for his hard work with reauthorization of the National Agricultural Statistics Service funding for pecans," said Dr. Randy Hudson, President of the US Pecan Growers Council. "Without these reports the industry would be completely guessing as to the supply and demand for US pecans".

Commercially produced in 14 states, pecans are the only native tree nut grown in the United States. Approximately 80% of the world’s pecan production is located in the United States. The U.S. pecan crop totaled 302.8 million pounds in 2012, a 12% increase from 2011. Georgia’s Second Congressional District produced over 100 million pounds of pecans in 2012.