ANLA is asking for an immediate industry response on the USDA’S Farm Security Administration Biomass Crops Assistance Program (BCAP) proposed rule published in February. This USDA biomass fuel subsidy program potentially threatens the availability of all wood mill-based residual materials, including bark, bark based soils and mulch supplies. The marketplace disruption could be devastating as the price and potential availability of these materials come into question. This will impact all segments of our industry, from the growing of containerized nursery stock, maintenance of plants in the landscape and retail sales of mulch, bark and bark-based soil products.
ANLA is involved in cooperative lobbying efforts with representatives of other impacted industries to try to blunt the possible impact and to effect changes in the proposed BCAP rule. We will be submitting comments to USDA FSA on behalf of the nursery, landscape and floriculture industry asking that restrictions be placed on the use of wood based residues in the program.
To respond to this immediate threat please visit ANLA’s BCAP resource page.