Joe Cunningham: “I rise not to oppose the gentleman's amendment, but to address the concerns many of us have about the impact that the…”

“I rise not to oppose the gentleman's amendment, but to address the concerns many of us have about the impact that the Colombian flower industry is having on American flower growers. I won't disagree with the gentleman that the Colombian flower industry has made progress in Colombia. However, I ask Mr. Speaker, at what cost? In 1991, Congress enacted the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) which provided for duty-free treatment, or reduced duties, on many products, including fresh-cut flowers, imported from the four South American Andean countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. This legislation was proposed to promote alternatives to coca cultivation and production by offering broader access to U.S. markets for legal products. Unfortunately, the act has not accomplished these goals. Since the enactment of ATPA, it is clear that Colombian fresh-cut flowers have been the greatest beneficiaries. In 1992, Colombia exported $87.7 million worth of fresh-cut flowers to the United States. By 1995, Colombian exports increased to more than $374.4 million. This represents a 427-percent increase over that 3-year period. How does the growth in Colombian exports compare with the domestic- cut flower industry? Domestic growers of roses and carnations have been particularly hard hit. In 1996, Colombia exported approximately 1.7 billion roses and carnations to the United States.”