By a 231-191 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2007 farm
> bill (HR 2419) on Friday afternoon.  See highlights below.

There was an extensive list of signatories to the group letter, including many beekeeping and conservation groups, and individuals.

These people could use a thank you email from beekeepers:
 -Rep Alcee Hastings  http://www.alceehastings.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=104&Itemid=
> -Rep Earl Blumenaur
> -Ag Cmte Chmn Colin Peterson
> -Ranking member Bob Goodlatte
> -Horticulture & Organic Ag Subc Chair Dennis Cardoza
> -Subc ranking member Randy Neugebauer
> -YOUR Representative


Some highlights:
  a..  a  new section for ``Pollinator Protection'' that authorizes research funding
  > to reduce North American pollinator decline and understand Colony Collapse
  > Disorder
  b..  also includes "specialty crop pollination" as eligible for
  > competitive specialty crops research, which is funded at $215 million
  > [mandatory] over the 5-year life of the farm bill.
  c..  producers are eligible to receive EQIP
  > incentive payments for pollinator habitat.  
  d.. "The  Committee included pollinator [habitat] to the list of practices eligible
  > for incentive payments under EQIP. 
  e..  USDA is to report annually to Congress on response to CCD and impact
  > on honey bees.
  f..  a significant increase in mandatory conservation spending, meaning more
  > resources will be provided to programs that can benefit pollinators,
  > pollinator habitat and the agricultural and wildlife ecosystems that
  depend

  g.. 

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