instituted these varieties represented practically all of those produced in California for the fresh market. Now they represent a minor portion of the total. Regulations have been applicable only to interstate shipments and have involved only grade, size and maturity controls. In 1950 growers of freestones for the fresh market primarily interested in California markets approved and adopted a state marketing order permitting advertising and promotion in California markets only. Three years ago this State Order was amended to permit advertising and promotion of California fresh peaches on a national basis. Under this state marketing order, grade, size and maturity regulations may also be established to control those fresh peaches which are sold in California markets only. To recapitulate, interstate shipments only of Elberta-type peaches are now regulated under a federal marketing order known as the California Tree Fruit Agreement. All varieties of peaches are promoted under a state marketing order and intrastate shipments only of all varieties may be subject to grade, size and maturity regulations under this same state order. California peach growers want to consolidate all controls under a single federal program which would permit the promotion and regulation of all varieties of peaches regardless of destination. The patchwork approach to the problems of fresh peaches that has been followed in the past has become increasingly unsatisfactory to the industry. The first step in accomplishing the consolidation of our peach programs is an amendment to the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act to permit advertising since this is the only statute under which all of the desired activities could go forward. H.R. 18272 would provide the desired amendment. The operation of two separate marketing order programs on a single commodity produces enormous confusion and unnecessary expense. Two offices are maintained with a duplication of administrative and clerical personnel. Elberta-type peaches destined for an out of state market must be inspected by the Federal-State Inspection Service. If these same peaches are shipped to California markets, they need not be inspected. If varieties other than Elbertas are shipped to out of state markets, they are not subject to any marketing order grade, size or maturity control. Separate assessment rates are levied under the two programs and collection is handled in two different ways. This leads to endless confusion on the part of growers and tends to reduce the effectiveness of both programs. Two separate committees are established and while these committees have some duplication of personnel, it would be far more sensible to place in the hands of a single elected committee the responsibility for marketing fresh California peaches. Regulatory and promotional decisions are very closely related. Growers should be able to look to one body for these decisions. California peach growers frequently cite the Nectarine Marketing Order Program as the model on which they would like to base California peach regulatory and promotional activities. The California nectarine program operates under a Federal Marketing Order which permits the regulation and promotion of nectarines under a single instrument by a single administrative body. Nectarine growers some years ago successfully sponsored an amendment which permitted the nectarine growers to do what the peach growers are now seeking to accomplish. California peach growers face serious economic problems. They are not seeking subsidies because they believe in their ability to solve their own problems if they are given the proper tools. The passage of H.R. 18272 would enable California peach growers to take the first step in putting their house in order which would mean the consolidation of peach marketing order programs into a single federal program under which both promotional and regulatory activities would be carried out. We urge your favorable consideration. Congressman B. F. SISK, Washington, D.C. JULY 28, 1970. DEAR CONGRESSMAN SISK: We are gratified to know of pending legislation H.R. 18272 to authorize national promotion of California peaches under Federal Marketing Order. We support this legislation and urge its passage. Sincerely, JOHN H. ENNS. Congressman B. F. SISK, CALIFORNIA TREE FRUIT AGREEMENT, DEAR CONGRESSMAN SISK: We were glad to learn that H.R. 18272 which would authorize the promotion of California grown peaches under a federal marketing order will be up for hearing on August 3. California peach growers hope to consolidate their control programs this coming fall, and passage of H.R. 18272 at an early date is essential if the growers are to achieve their goal. Unfortunately, however, the hearing date hits the very peak of the peach harvest. Growers and shippers are literally deluged with peaches and problems and they find it impossible to appear at the hearing. The failure of growers to appear at the hearing should under no circumstances be interpreted as a lack of concern or a lack of support for this important legislation. Indeed, peach growers and shippers here in California consider the passage of H.R. 18272 vital to the future of the California peach industry. I am enclosing a statement by John Kasabian, Chairman of the Peach Commodity Committee of the California Tree Fruit Agreement and Chairman of the Peach Advisory Board of the State Peach Marketing Order, and we are hopeful that you will be able to present this statement to the Subcommittee. If we can provide any information or assistance to you or the Subcommittee short of getting a grower or shipper to Washington Monday to testify, please let us know. We very much appreciate your fine efforts in our behalf. We are hopeful that Monday's hearing will result in favorable action on H.R. 18272. Very truly yours, DUDLEY J. BIDstrup, DINUBA, CALIF., July 28, 1970. DEAR CONGRESSMAN SISK: We are gratified to know of pending legislation H.R. 18272 to authorize national promotion of California peaches under Federal Marketing Order. We support this legislation and urge its passage. Sincerely, PETER A. ENNS. Congressman B. F. SISK, House of Representatives, [TELEGRAMS] FRESNO, CALIF., July 28, 1970. Washington, D.C.: I approve of the H.R. 18272 bill hearing to be held Monday, August 3d. PARLIER, CALIF., July 29, 1970. Congressman B. F. SISK, We ask that full support be given in obtaining passage of H.R. 18272 authorizing national promotion of California peaches under a Federal marketing order. Thank you. Congressman B. F. SISK, CHRIS SORENSEN PACKING CO. FRESNO, CALIF., July 27, 1970. We are 100 percent behind H.R. 18272. The California peach industry needs this Federal marketing order. Congressman B. F. SISK, Washington, D.C.: FRED Y. HIRASUNA, FRESNO, CALIF., July 27, 1970. Federal marketing order needed for California peach industry. We urge passage of H.R. 18272. ALBERT HARTWIG, Sunbest Fruit Distributors. SANGER, CALIF., July 29, 1970. Congressman B. F. SISK, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.: Urge you push to upmost legislation authorizing national promotion of California fresh peaches under a Federal marketing order as written in H.R. 18272. Such promotion badly needed by California peach growers and shippers. California processors demand for freestone peaches very limited even at low prices. Thanks for your efforts. Congressman B. F. SISK, F. LAKTED BARR, Jr. REEDLEY, CALIF., July 28, 1970. House of Representatives, House Office Building, Washington D.C.: HONORABLE CONGRESSMAN SISK: Growers urgently need passage of bill H.R. 18272 for promotion of California peaches. Respectfully yours, JOHN KASSABIAN, Chairman, California Peach Advisory Committee. Congressman B. F. SISK, FRESNO, CALIF., July 29, 1970. House of Representatives, House Office Building, Washington, D.C.: We would appreciate your support of H.R. 18272 authorizing the national promotion of California peaches under a Federal marketing order. This is being permitted at present advantageously for plums and nectarines. The same should apply to peaches. FEDERAL FRUIT DISTRIBUTORS. REEDLEY, CALIF., July 29, 1970. Congressman B. F. SISK, As a grower and shipper of California peaches we urge your support of H.R. 18272 which would authorize national promotion of our peaches under Federal marketing order passage will allow for informative rather than persuasive promotion of one of San Joquin Valley's major sources of revenue. WILLIAM MINAMI PACKING CO. FRESNO, CALIF., July 29, 1970. Congressman B. F. SISK, Understand that H.R. 18272 is coming up for hearing August third. We urgently request that you do all possible for the passage of this bill which will permit national peach promotion program under the Federal marketing order. We, as peach growers' must do something to enlarge the consumption of California peaches. FLOYD J. HARKNESS, REEDLEY, CALIF., July 29, 1970. Congressman B. F. SISK, Washington, D.C.: Re H.R. 18272, August 3, 1970. As a grower and shipper of peaches, we are in favor of a national promotion of California peaches under a Federal marketing order. We are hoping that you will cast your vote in favor of bill H.R. 18272 for a hearing on August 3, 1970. Under Federal regulations, we feel that there will be a more uniform standard as to size and grade. The Federal regulations on plums and nectarines have improved the fresh fruit industry, and an order for California peaches is needed. ITO PACKING CO., INC. Mr. FOLEY. If there is no further business, to come before the subcommittee, the subcommittee will stand adjourned to meet at the call of the Chair. (Whereupon, at 10:35 a.m., the subcommittee proceeded in executive session.) BD 9.7 |