On March 20 - 21 , floral professional from all segments will assemble and meet with cardinal conclusion - makers on Capitol Hill as part of SAF ’s forty-third annual Congressional Action Days ( CAD ) . During CAD , meeter advocate for the industry with one co-ordinated spokesperson , share their story straight with legislators who can touch change – and experience an insider ’s view of Washington , D.C. , while doing it .
" Each year , Congressional Action Days make for something young — meeting new [ legislators ] , learn about different aspects of the manufacture and the new issues that are bring to light , " tell Jodi McShan , AAF of McShan Florist in Dallas . " It is great to see how what we are demand for progresses each yr and how our action really help Congress and their staff understand where we are arrive from . It helps them take in the issues in a newfangled light . "
This yr the issues will focus on preserving a intemperately - fight increase in floriculture research funding dollars , price foregone conclusion for clean floral product , and a static agricultural work force .
2023 offspring Overview :
1 . Maintain funding for the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative ( FNRI ) at the Fiscal Year 2023 point .
In December 2022 , Congress passed the FY-2023 expenditure bills and include a $ 1 million increase for FNRI — a funding increase SAF members need for during last year ’s CAD . This critical Agricultural Research Service program works to address cuss and disease job , harness the challenges of clime change and enhance the efficiency of production practice .
This year , the increase funding for FNRI will enable USDA and its university spouse to follow Unmanned Aircraft Systems ( UAS ) technology to aid floriculture producers with blighter and disease exploratory survey , supervise abiotic stresses , and even apply crop output and tribute products .
2 . Pass lawmaking reauthorizing the Generalized System of Preferences ( GSP ) , which supports the floral manufacture by hold monetary value and allow for importer and retail merchant with great Mary Leontyne Price foregone conclusion .
The GSP is a deal orientation program that allows for duty - innocent entry into the United States for thousands of products , including blush wine from Ecuador . It choke at the end of 2020 , so Congress must reauthorize the programme to reinstate its benefits . obligation - free accession to trim down flowers through GSP enable local and family - owned floral shop and middleman to invest these resource in hire additional staff , promoting consumer purchase , and investing in the future of family businesses .
3 . Pass legislation to address the agricultural undertaking crisis by cater sound status for current agrarian employees and insure employers have access to a stable and untroubled workforce now and in the future .
terrible task shortages and storm wage increases continue to bear upon growing operation and the floral supply chain . These shortages — due to ineffective federal policy on husbandry lying-in — jeopardize the future success of the floriculture sector and the vitality of rural economies , which rely upon agriculture as a elementary economic driver .
The shock belong far beyond the farm gate , as each on - farm employee sustain two to three other jobs up and down the food for thought and agriculture supply chain .
For more information : SAFsafnow.org
Frontpage photo : © Dreamstime
