[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SPECIALTY CROP COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WALLY HERGER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to become a cosponsor of the 
``Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act of 2003,'' H.R. 3242, legislation 
designed to maintain a viable and competitive specialty crop industry 
in the United States.
  It is important to first note that an abundant, affordable supply of 
highly nutritious fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops is vital 
to the health of all Americans. Increased consumption of fresh produce 
will provide tremendous health benefits to consumers, as well as 
economic benefits to American farmers.
  It follows that a competitive specialty crop industry is necessary to 
produce and sustain a safe and nutritious domestic food supply. A 
competitive specialty crop industry is also necessary to sustain the 
economic vitality of rural communities in northern California, and 
indeed throughout the entire nation.
  Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly difficult for U.S. 
producers to compete against heavily subsidized foreign producers in 
domestic and international markets. For example, the European Union 
provides subsidies of about $11.7 billion per year to its specialty 
crop growers, while U.S. specialty crop growers receive no subsidies. 
In addition, U.S. specialty crop growers continue to face tariff and 
non-tariff trade barriers in many export markets, thus making it 
virtually impossible for our growers to improve sales through increased 
exports. In turn, production costs have escalated due to increased 
environmental and other regulations, and important crop protection 
tools have been lost, thus making it increasingly difficult to operate 
profitably.
  Specialty crop growers from California and across the country believe 
federal agriculture policy must address the myriad of unique challenges 
facing their industry to assure its long-term viability. As such, they 
have joined together to craft H.R. 3242, and have requested my support.
  The bill is designed to increase exports of U.S. specialty crops, 
improve efforts to protect agriculture from damaging pests and 
diseases, and provide funding for research necessary for improving the 
competitiveness of the industry. The activities authorized by this 
legislation represent a prudent investment in the future success of our 
$58.7 billion specialty crop industry.
  The cost of the bill is relatively modest when compared with other 
agriculture programs and most other federal programs. Nevertheless, it 
continues to be critically important, especially during this period of 
budget deficits and increased spending for our ongoing War on Terrorism 
and homeland security, for Congress to restrain federal spending. As 
such, I want to work with the bill's supporters to find acceptable 
offsets and/or savings from other federal programs that will ensure 
that the funding authorized under this legislation fits within the 
existing budget.
  I look forward to working with the sponsors of the bill, Congressman 
Doug Ose and Congressman Cal Dooley, toward future House consideration 
of this important bill for California agriculture.

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