[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 12, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S6137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LEVIN (for himself, Ms. Snowe, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Schumer, 
        Ms. Stabenow, and Ms. Cantwell):
  S. 1018. A bill to provide market loss assistance for apple 
producers; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I am today introducing a bill that seeks to 
provide much needed assistance to our Nation's apple farmers. In the 
past four years, due to weather related disasters, disease and the 
dumping of Chinese apple juice concentrate, our Nation's apple 
producers have lost over $1.4 billion dollars in revenue. This has left 
many growers on the brink of financial disaster.
  In the past three years, Congress has assisted America's farmers by 
providing substantial assistance to agricultural producers. The U.S. 
apple industry boasts a long history of self-sufficiency and has long 
operated without relying upon federally funded farm programs. Last 
year, Congress, recognized the problems facing apple growers and for 
the first time ever, provided direct market loss assistance to apple 
growers.
  Even with this aid, a significant percentage of apply growers are 
expected to go out of the business this year. Without some type of 
financial relief, the numbers could indeed be staggering. Studies by 
economists at Michigan State University estimated U.S. apple growers 
will lose nearly $500 million this year alone. Such losses threaten to 
devastate the entire U.S. apple industry. The Michigan Farm Bureau 
states that the number of those leaving the business in some States is 
running as high as 30 percent. Assistance is desperately needed to help 
stabilize not only the production sector but entire communities and 
subsidiary businesses that are dependent on the apple industry, not 
only in Michigan, but nationwide.
  The $250 million in assistance we are proposing will help those who 
depend on the apple industry for their livelihood, and ensure that 
American apple growers will be able to provide the United States and 
the world with a quality product that is second to none.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today to express my strong support 
for legislation to provide $250 million in emergency payments to apple 
growers. I would like to thank Senators Levin and Snowe for their 
leadership on this issue.
  Rural communities and agricultural producers have not enjoyed 
America's recent economic prosperity. Around the Nation, nearly all 
commodity producers are enduring low prices and trade challenges. In 
Washington State, these problems are compounded by a severe drought, an 
energy crisis, and fish listings under the Endangered Species Act.
  The combined impact is devastating. Apple growers in my State, from 
Okanogan County to Walla Walla County, are going bankrupt. Many family 
farmers have given up hope. On land that has produced high quality 
fruit for generations, farmers are tearing out orchards. Farmer 
cooperatives and other businesses that have been a part of rural 
communities for decades have closed up shop. Local governments have 
seen tax revenue decline. And non-farm businesses have struggled as 
consumers no longer have the cash to buy their goods and services.
  In the 106th Congress, we responded. Last year, I worked with my 
colleagues to pass a $100 million emergency package for apple growers. 
In 1999, I worked with the Clinton Administration to end the dumping by 
Chinese companies of non-frozen apple juice concentrate. And on a host 
of smaller issues, from fighting pests in abandoned orchards, to 
securing research funding, to breaking down trade barriers, I worked 
with the industry and other stakeholders to build a stronger foundation 
for the future.
  We can be proud of what we accomplished. But we still have more to do 
in the 107th Congress.
  If signed into law, this new legislation will provide $250 million in 
emergency payments to apple growers nation-wide. This emergency 
legislation will not save every producer. It will give the industry the 
financial support it needs to get through another year of disastrous 
prices. It will also give us the time we need to develop long-term 
solutions as part of the next farm bill for apple and other specialty 
crop growers.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. And I urge the 
Senate Agriculture Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee to 
work with the sponsors of this bill to provide meaningful assistance to 
all apple growers.
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