Butterfly Creek Winery Mariposa, California
December 28, 2022 - Congress has enacted a fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill to avoid a government shutdown and fund the federal government through September 2023. The legislation includes a number of critical provisions for which Wine Institute has been advocating:
- $5 million for continued U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research into winegrape smoke exposure, which reflects an increase of $500,000 over the fiscal year 2022 level.
- $148.8 million in annual operating funds for the Alcohol and Tobacco Trade and Tax Bureau (TTB) — an increase of more than 15% over last year — which will allow TTB to complete technology upgrades and fully implement the Craft Beverage Modernization Act enacted in 2020, as well as respond efficiently to increased labeling approval submissions.
- $216 million for the USDA Specialty Crop Pest Program — of which $500,000 will be set aside for eradication of the spotted lanternfly.
- $4.3 billion for wildfire suppression operations — an increase of more than 14% above fiscal year 2022.
- An extension of the Emergency Relief Program (formerly known as the WHIP+ Program) to cover financial losses suffered by winegrape growers due to natural disasters in 2022.
The legislation now goes to President Biden for his immediate signature. A summary of the legislation can be found here.
About Wine Institute
Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group of 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. The organization works to enhance the economic and environmental health of the state through its leadership in sustainable winegrowing and by showcasing California’s wine regions as ideal destinations for food and wine travelers to the state. To learn more about California wines, visit DiscoverCaliforniaWines.
Source: Wine Institute
