Mark Udall: “I will vote for the bill H.R. 5384, the ``Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, Appropriations…”

“I will vote for the bill H.R. 5384, the ``Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, Appropriations Act of 2007.'' While the bill is a dramatic improvement from the request made by the Bush Administration it still does not fully meet the needs of rural Colorado. I'm disappointed about that, but the fact is that the federal government is being forced to do more with less because of the budget resolution the Republican leadership forced through the House. I am pleased the bill provides support for research programs important to Colorado State University, including research on infectious diseases and ultraviolet radiation monitoring. I am also pleased provisions of the legislation adequately funds important programs for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency grants which can provide much needed resources for rural economic development to communities throughout the Eastern Plains, Western Slope and San Luis Valley of Colorado. While there are good things about this bill it does have its shortcomings. Even though attempts were made to the conservation provisions, more needs to be done to address the continued under funding of these important programs. I am also particularly disappointed this legislation does not address the continued delay of the implementation of a mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for products such as meat and produce.…”