Political Quotes

“this is one of the most challenging periods of time in the last 10 years for apple growers. Low prices, labor issues and regulatory actions are posing significant barriers to success in this important sector for agriculture. For example, Mr. Chairman, according to USDA, U.S. apple growers have suffered losses of $760 million over the last 3 years. Also, in the past several years, apple prices have been at the lowest levels in over a decade. These extreme, unprecedented, economic losses are due to a variety of factors, including the loss of markets, unknown fair competition from below-market imports from China, and lastly, weather-related disasters which have reduced yields, as well as quality and prices. The cumulative losses have resulted in dire financial conditions. Mr. Chairman, many financial institutions are no longer willing to provide new loans to apple growers who are now seen as high risks. As a result, many growers will be forced out of business without aid. In the last 2 years, Mr. Chairman, Congress has provided $22 billion in emergency farm relief to address low commodity prices in natural disasters. An additional $7 billion has recently been advanced as part of the crop insurance reforms. Despite all of this, apple growers have received none of the assistance, even though they have suffered losses just as severely as any other ag sector.”