Robert Smith: “I rise in support of H.R. 4148, a bill to amend the Export Apple and Pear Act. The Export Apple and Pear Act, enacted on…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 4148, a bill to amend the Export Apple and Pear Act. The Export Apple and Pear Act, enacted on June 10, 1933, requires that apples and pears meet certain standards prior to export in order to ensure only high quality U.S. fruit moves in foreign commerce. Pears exported from the United States are grown almost exclusively in Oregon, California and Washington and the pear organizations in these states support this bill. U.S. pear producers and shippers recommended that pears should be dropped from the Act so that they can increase the volume of pear exports. H.R. 4148 eliminates pears from the Act, thereby allowing U.S. exporters greater flexibility in the changing international marketplace and the opportunity to increase exports. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) believes that mandatory federal quality standards for pears are no longer needed to assure the high quality of exported pears. USDA supports enactment of H.R. 4148 and advises the Committee that enactment of H.R. 4148 would not result in increased outlays. CBO estimates there is no cost to H.R. 4148. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4148.”