4018 AMS AG S2814.1

HJM 4018 - S COMM AMD

By Senator

Strike everything after page 1, line 7, and insert the following:

"WHEREAS, Washington's apple industry produces a high quality product; and

WHEREAS, Washington's apple industry contributes important jobs and tax revenues to rural Washington and to the state of Washington through the production, packing, and shipment of apples across the United States and around the world; and

WHEREAS, Washington's apple industry is facing difficult economic times; and

WHEREAS, Washington apples face high tariffs in many markets around the world while apples imported into the United States face no tariffs; and

WHEREAS, Mexico, a very important export market for United States apples, recently revoked the 1998 agreement on United States apples and this action has generated a 46.58 percent dumping duty applied to apples, which has nearly halted Washington apple shipments to Mexico; and

WHEREAS, Washington apple producers are working hard to negotiate an agreement with Mexico;

NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that fairer trade agreements be developed to create a level playing field for our domestic farmers and orchardists.

BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington."

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