The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2007 Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriations bill June 22, 2006. The bill provides funding for agricultural programs around the country.

Idaho Senator Larry Craig, a member of the Committee, announced the Committee's support of a number of programs important to Idaho including $2 million for Billingsley Creek Aquaculture Facility. Funds will be used for construction of a state-of-the-art cool and coldwater aquaculture research at the University of Idaho's facility near Hagerman, Idaho. This project received $1 million in FY2006.

A slew of other projects, many of which have been ongoing for a number of years, received continued support, such as Rainbow Trout Physiology and Sustainable Feeds for Aquaculture.

The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

Bill Highlights:

• FY06 Funding Level: $16.780 billion ($99.848 billion including mandatory programs)
• FY07 President’s Request: $17.314 billion ($93.709 billion including mandatory programs)
• FY07 House bill: $17.808 billion ($93.888 billion including mandatory programs)
• FY07 Senate bill: $18.200 billion ($94.579 billion including mandatory programs)