WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was appointed to serve on the House Committee on Agriculture for the 110th Congress.

“Agriculture is a crucial sector to the economies of Kern, San Luis Obispo, and north L.A. Counties and I will work to open foreign markets for our agricultural products because we produce the best in the world,” said McCarthy. “Being named to the Agriculture Committee is an honor and I look forward to working with local farmers and ranchers when helping to craft the Farm Bill this year.”

“Securing a coveted seat on the Agriculture Committee is a testament to Congressman McCarthy’s talents and sign of the confidence we in leadership have in him as a young lawmaker,” said House Republican Leader, John Boehner (R-OH). “In fact, Kevin will be playing an integral role in the crafting of the Farm Bill this year, which puts him in an extraordinary position to bolster the strength of the Central Valley’s great agricultural economy.  His constituents, and all Californians, will be well-served.”

The House Agriculture Committee has jurisdiction over renewable energy, rural development, disaster assistance, nutrition, crop insurance, conservation, international trade, futures market regulation, animal and plant health, agricultural research and development, bioterrorism, and forestry. Most provisions in the last Farm Bill, written in 2002, expire in 2007, and a major responsibility of the Agriculture Committee in the 110th Congress is the reauthorization of federal farm programs in the Farm Bill.

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