[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23099]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 23099]]

        THE HASS AVOCADO PROMOTION, RESEARCH AND INFORMATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY A. CONDIT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 1999

  Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support for 
legislation offered with Representative Ken Calvert to create a new 
national promotion program for Hass avocados. This bill, the Hass 
Avocado Promotion, Research and Information Act, provides a vehicle for 
both domestic producers and importers to work together to increase the 
demand for avocados.
  The California avocado industry has benefited from an innovative, 
state grower-funded program administered by the California Avocado 
Commission. The means that 6000 Hass avocado growers in California 
currently assess themselves to pay for the national promotion of 
avocados. In recent years, however, imports are supplying an increasing 
share of the U.S. consumer market. In 1998, for example, import levels 
reached 100 million pounds, an amount equal to nearly one-third the 
size of U.S. avocado production. Given this trend, Congress should 
provide a mechanism for importers to share in the state commission's 
efforts. This bill will do just that, by providing tools to expand 
consumer markets for avocados at a time when supply is increasing.
  This legislation is tailored to fit the special characteristics of 
Hass Avocado production, which is unique to California and several 
foreign countries. The creation of a national checkoff at no cost to 
the nation's taxpayers will allow US avocado growers and importers to 
fund and operate a coordinated marketing effort. This bill is designed 
to: (1) create a industry-based, international board to administer the 
program; (2) authorize promotion, research, and educational activities; 
(3) direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a referendum 60 days 
prior to implementation of the program; and (4) designate the initial 
rate of assessment on Hass avocados at 2.5 cents per pound, capped at 
five cents per pound. In addition to promotional and consumer 
information, this legislation allows producers to research issues 
important to avocado production and sales, such as market development, 
food safety, avocado uses, quality, and nutritional value.
  For these reasons, I join my colleague on the Committee on 
Agriculture from California, Mr. Calvert, in introducing this 
legislation, the Hass Avocado Promotion, Research and Information Act.

                          ____________________