Dick Lugar: “Section 804 of H.R. 4461, the conference report on the fiscal year 2001 agriculture appropriations bill, provides the…”

“Section 804 of H.R. 4461, the conference report on the fiscal year 2001 agriculture appropriations bill, provides the Secretary of Agriculture with emergency authority to compensate growers for crop losses due to new and emergent pests and diseases, including watermelon sudden wilt disease. This disease, which is characterized by wilting leaves and collapsing vines, often results in the death of mature watermelon plants. The disease became a problem in southwestern Indiana last year and has become a much more serious problem in the region this year. Last year, Indiana farmers grew $11 million worth of watermelons, ranking sixth in the nation. This year production will likely be significantly less. On September 19, 2000 USDA's Farm Service Agency office in Indianapolis estimated that the disease may be responsible for Indiana watermelon losses of up to $4.7 million. Despite ongoing study, scientists at Purdue University have not yet determined what causes the disease, including whether or not adverse weather is a contributing factor.”