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BISHOP SUPPORTS GEORGIA PECANS AND PEANUTS

October 16, 2020

COLUMBUS, GA – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, visited Sunnyland Farms in Albany to meet with members of the National Pecan Shellers, Georgia Pecan Growers Association, Georgia Pecan Commission, and the University of Georgia's Associate Deans of Research and Engineering. Afterwards, he visited the Agricultural Research Service Peanut Lab in Dawson to meet with members of the American Peanut Shellers Association, Alabama Peanut Producers Association, National Peanut Buying Points Association, Golden Peanut Company, and the President of Fort Valley State University. The group received briefings from scientists conducting research at the ARS National Peanut Lab.

"One of the most important things to me as the Agriculture Appropriations Chairman is making sure the crops we grow here in Georgia continue their massive contributions to our local, state, and national economies while also feeding our citizens nutritious food. Pecans and peanuts are very healthy and are also two of our largest agricultural exports as a state. At Sunnyland Farms, we discussed the many issues facing the pecan industry such as prices, Mexican imports, and expansion into additional markets. We also discussed the benefits of the $40 million purchases made by USDA for the TFAP programs and our food banks. Continuing to learn about the cutting-edge research on aflatoxin at the ARS Peanut Lab from Dr. Marshall Lamb and the research scientists keeps me informed on the needs of Georgia's peanut industry," said Congressman Bishop.

"Peanut Industry officials gathered at the National Peanut Lab in Dawson, Georgia today to update Congressman Bishop on the tremendous negative impact that aflatoxin has on the peanut industry each year. Congressman Bishop was the driving force in obtaining USDA funds for scientific research on aflatoxin research and ways to mitigate the impact," said John Powell, Director of the American Peanut Shellers Association."

The pecan industry requested and the House provided in the FY2021 Agriculture Appropriations bill:

  • $1.5 million for research on pecan cracking and pasteurization technology
  • $1.5 million for pecan breeding and genetics research

The peanut industry requested and the House provided in the FY2021 Agriculture Appropriations bill:

  • $1.51 million for the aflatoxin research conducted at the ARS Peanut Lab in Dawson and Fort Valley State University