| June 23, 2005 - (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator David Vitter announced that the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill included $4.25 million for sugarcane research and a laboratory, which passed out of the Appropriations Committee today. “Louisiana produces 20 percent of the country’s sugar. Sugarcane has been a vital part of Louisiana’s history and way of life for more than 200 years,” said Vitter. “I am grateful that my colleagues in the Senate recognize the importance of research for breeding and crop protection of our sugarcane.” The bill provides $4 million for the construction of new headhouse, photoperiod house and greenhouse facilities at the ARS Sugarcane Research Laboratory’s farm facility in Terrebonne Parish. The bill also includes $250,000 for existing basic research for breeding, germplasm enhancement and crop protection efforts, in addition to new lines of research, such as developing new varieties of sugarcane that can be harvested efficiently without burning and creating disease and insect control mechanisms. “While this is only the first step in the legislative process, it will help advance the field of sugarcane research,” Vitter said. “I will continue to work with my colleagues to see that this funding is included in the final bill.” The Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill is expected to move to the Senate floor for a vote later this year. |
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