USDA to Increase Salmon Purchase Funds.

• Position: Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its plans to increase its salmon purchase program by $5 million.

"The larger than anticipated pink salmon harvest and adverse world market conditions made it necessary to request an increase," said Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska.

Prior to the salmon harvest, Congress authorized $12 million for the Agricultural Marketing Service for salmon purchase--$2 million was used to buy chum nuggets and pouched pink salmon, and $10 million was for canned pink salmon.

"The $5 million will fund additional purchases of canned pink...