Hoyer Announces Federal Funds to Sustain Maryland's Leading Role in Agriculture Research

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) announced that the House of Representatives passed the Agriculture Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2006 last night, which includes significant federal funds to support programs in Prince George's County. In particular, the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) will receive nearly $17 million in additional federal funds for research initiatives many of which the President had proposed for elimination in his Fiscal Year 2006 budget. Rep. Hoyer, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and the only member from Maryland, took the lead role in securing the funding for these important projects.

"I am pleased that the House continues to recognize the value of the research programs conducted at BARC to our health and safety," said Congressman Hoyer. "This research provides critical information to develop solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority. This federal funding further solidifies BARC's strong roots here in Prince George's County and sends a strong signal of commitment to this world-class facility and the talented scientists working here."

"I am also pleased that I was able to secure additional funds for the Maryland and Chesapeake Bay Agro-Ecology Centers. These Centers work to develop effective partnerships to ensure that agriculture industries in Maryland are sustained, and protecting and preserving our environment remains a priority. I will continue to work to ensure that funding for these programs is included in the final legislation when it is signed into law," Hoyer concluded.

Congressman Hoyer helped secure funding for the following list of programs that will benefit Prince George's County.

Beltsville Agriculture Research Center (BARC) Research Programs, $17 million

The Beltsville Agricultural Research Center is the flagship of the Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Research Service, and is world-renowned for its plant and animal research capabilities. Congressman Hoyer has helped secure over $124 million for renovation and modernization of the BARC facility helping to protect the almost 5,000 acres of forest and farmland on BARC property.

Congressman Hoyer has helped secure millions of dollars for critical research programs at BARC, and has secured more than $60 million for the Human Nutrition Program alone. This research provides information to ensure that our food is safe and of high quality, to assess the nutritional needs of Americans, to sustain a competitive agricultural economy, to enhance the natural resource base and the environment, and to provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole. The President's budget routinely eliminates funding for many research programs conducted at BARC, which would terminate this important research. However, at the request of Congressman Hoyer, funding for these important research programs was restored in the bill again this year.

Maryland Center for Agro-Ecology to Receive $387,000

The Maryland Center for Agro-Ecology was established, under the leadership of former Maryland Governor Harry Hughes, to convene environmental, business, and elected leaders to develop a consensus on research, education and policy programs in the agricultural and forestry sectors. The Center provides competitive grants and works to educate key officials and the public about the aesthetic, environmental and economic value of our farms, forests and other open spaces and the need to protect and enhance open space-based industries in Maryland.

Since fiscal year 2003, Congressman Hoyer has secured $1.5 million for the Center for Agro-Ecology to support vital initiatives that protect Maryland's open space and farm and forest-based enterprises which are significant contributors to Maryland's economy.

University of Maryland Chesapeake Bay Agro-Ecology Research Initiative to Receive $314,000

Over the past several years there have been serious outbreaks of the toxic microorganism Pfiesteria along the Atlantic Seaboard. Linked to the flow of excess nutrients into waterways, these toxic algae blooms seriously impact the regional agriculture-based economies and threaten vital finfish resources in the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland has emerged as the leader nationally in implementing agricultural nutrient management, soil conservation, tributary teams and other cooperative planning strategies to confront the Pfiesteria problem.

Congressman Hoyer has helped lead this response to these invasive and destructive algae, securing more than $10 million to react to the outbreak, contain it and study its effects on humans. He helped secure just over $1 million for the Agro-Ecology Research Initiative since fiscal year 2002 and this year's funding would continue the progress of this program and will be matched equally by University of Maryland funds.

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