[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 127 (Wednesday, August 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1595-E1596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    AMENDMENTS TO THE PERISHABLE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES ACT, 1930

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                               speech of

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 1995
  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 1103 in the strongest 
possible terms. 

[[Page E1596]]
This bill, which amends and strengthens the Perishable Agricultural 
Commodities Act--or PACA for those in the know, is one of the most 
important Federal agricultural programs for the farmer's of 
California's central coast. And, Mr. Speaker, it does not cost the 
taxpayer a dime.
  PACA, which was first enacted in 1930, ensures that growers, packers, 
and produce dealers are paid in a timely manner for their produce 
without recourse to costly and time-consuming court litigation. Produce 
dealers and retailers must get a license from the USDA to market 
produce and their license fees support the program.
  PACA is absolutely crucial for perishable fruits and vegetables such 
as strawberries or lettuce which are only marketable for a short time 
before they spoil. Almost every dollar of the $2.4 billion per year in 
agricultural production in my district is directly tied to the 
protections in PACA--it is as crucial to central coast specialty crop 
growers as the wheat and corn programs are to mid-western farmers. So I 
am very happy that the House is taking up this bill today that ensures 
a strong PACA program well into the next century.
  I want to point out that this legislation includes an important 
provision for domestic flower growers. Fresh-cut flowers are every bit 
as perishable as lettuce, grapes, or other produce. But they are not 
included in PACA's protections. This legislation will require the USDA 
to work with the flower industry to study the feasibility of including 
flowers within PACA.
  I want to thank the Chairman Roberts and Mr. de la Garza for their 
hard work in bringing this bill to the floor. I also want to thank my 
Subcommittee Chairman Ewing and friend Mr. Pombo for their hard work in 
bringing all sides of the produce industry together in agreement on 
this legislation. Finally, I want to thank Mr. Keith Pitts and Ms. 
Stacey Carry of the Agriculture Committee staff who given so much of 
their time to move this legislation forward.
  So if you enjoy artichokes, strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes, or any 
other of the 160 fresh produce crops that my district produces, I urge 
you to support this legislation.


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