<p>The August estimate of the U.S. apple crop has been reinstated by the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Apple Association, according to a press release. Nancy Foster, USApple President & CEO and Dr. Catherine Woteki, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, met to discuss the matter of the August estimate last month.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Nancy Foster, stated, “We are pleased that USDA has agreed to restore the publication of the August crop report.” She continued, “The loss of this data would have harmed the U.S. apple industry. While we understand the current economic environment requires regulatory agencies to make tough decisions, our job was to provide them with accurate and current information to help them make the right decision.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Late in 2011, with budget constraints looming, it was announced that, NASS would eliminate a selection of crop reports, including the August apple crop estimate. USApple immediately called on Agriculture Secretary Vilsack when it learned that the August apple crop estimate was on the list of those to be eliminated. The Association urged the reinstatement of the August estimate. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
