SENATORS SNOWE AND COLLINS SEEK ASSISTANCE FOR MAINE’S APPLE FARMERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins wrote U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman requesting assistance funds for Maine's apple orchards. The harsh winter of 2003 damaged the winter buds and roots of the apple trees in Central and Southern Maine, placing a significant strain on many Maine apple farmers.

"Maine's apple orchards are an integral part of our State's economy and culture," Senators Snowe and Collins said in a joint statement. "We are asking the Agriculture Department to understand the difficult situation facing our apple farmers. Without federal assistance, Maine's apple farmers may not be able to overcome the long-lasting consequences of their losses."

Maine's apple orchards are a significant component of Maine's economy. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's New England Agriculture Statistics Service shows that in 2003, Maine's apple farmers devoted 3,500 acres to growing apples and the apple crop was valued at more than fifteen million dollars.

It is estimated that many of the affected orchards in Maine could qualify for funds through USDA's Tree Assistance Program (TAP), which was included in the 2002 Farm Bill. Unfortunately, it appears that all of the funds appropriated for 2004 have already been allocated to other specific disaster areas USDA's Farm Service Agency office in Maine estimates that Maine's apple farmers would qualify for approximately $400,000 from TAP.

The letter from Senators Snowe and Collins calls on the Department of Agriculture to examine current funding and to allocate any available TAP money to Maine's apple farmers.

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