Brief Description: Requesting Congress to enter trade agreements that are more fair to domestic agricultural businesses.

Sponsors: Representatives Blake, Veloria and Kenney.

Hearing Date: 2/28/03

Staff: Tracey Taylor (786-7196).

Background:

There are an estimated 185,000 acres devoted to commercial apple production in Washington State. There are more than 3,800 growers registered with the Washington Apple Commission. In 1999, 123 million 42-pound boxes of apples were produced in Washington. All Washington apples are hand-picked. The estimated value of the state's apples for fresh consumption was $774 million and $75.6 for processed apples in 1999. Thirty percent of Washington's crop is sold overseas each year. The top 10 export markets for 1999-2000 were: Mexico, Taiwan, Canada, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Kingdom, Venezuela and Dubai.

Washington growers comply with stringent pesticide regulations to ensure the high quality and safety of all the state's apples. The use of pesticides is strictly regulated by state and federal law. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates agrichemicals and the way that they may be used. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assures compliance with those standards by inspecting produce before shipment and at the market.

Summary of Bill:

The joint memorial communicates to President George W. Bush, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from Washington State, the State Legislature's desire to see trade agreements developed that provide a level playing field for the state's farmers and orchardists.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.