Washington, D.C. – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) today helped introduce bipartisan legislation to support Specialty Crop Research Initiatives (SCRI), including ongoing projects at Washington State University. 

“Securing funding for specialty crop research like the incredible work being done at Washington State University has long been a priority for me,” said Rodgers. “Research coming out of Eastern Washington helps inform regional and national practices on crop inputs, pest threats, harvesting technologies, and food safety issues. My hope is this legislation will help Washington’s agriculture industry stay competitive in the global marketplace and ensure our farmers have the resources they need to keep putting food on kitchen tables across the country.”   

Under current law, Specialty Crop Research Initiatives are required to have a 100% match in non-federal funding in order to proceed, which has created a barrier for some agricultural projects. This legislation would restore the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s authority to waive this requirement and allow more innovative projects to move forward.

“The Specialty Crop Research Initiative is critical in enabling Central Washington farmers to supply the world with cherries, apples, wine, hops and many other specialty crops,” said Newhouse. “Universities and commodity groups representing Washington agriculture are eager to pursue world-class specialty crop research that provides our farmers with a competitive edge, but provisions left out of the 2018 Farm Bill left SCRI recipients at a disadvantage. I am proud to work as a Member of the Appropriations Committee to include this language to give certainty to these institutions as they compete for federal grant funding and continue their groundbreaking research at facilities throughout Washington and the United States.”

Cathy joined Representatives Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Kim Schrier (WA-08) in introducing this legislation.

CLICK HERE to read the bill.

###