News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ray Gilmer
Mobile: 407-341-6372

KEEP ORIGIN LABELING WORKABLE SAYS PRODUCE INDUSTRY

ORLANDO - Country of origin labeling can be workable and cost effective for the entire fruit and vegetable industry, says the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA). "Consumers and growers support origin labeling, and we will continue to remind Congress of that fact," said Mike Stuart, FFVA president. "Given the realities of today's food marketplace, there's no justification for withholding origin information from the American public."

To underscore the industry's continued support for origin labeling, FFVA spearheaded the drafting of a letter to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte. The letter, signed by 20 other produce grower groups, demonstrated the produce industry's commitment to implementation of workable, mandatory labeling regulations, due by September 30, 2004.

"The USDA's voluntary guidelines have provided an initial framework for developing labeling regulations," stated the letter. "In response, produce industry groups have contributed many recommendations for refining the voluntary guidelines with expectations that the mandatory rule will accurately reflect the objectives and spirit of the statute."

The message to Chairman Goodlatte (R - Virginia) comes as the Agriculture Committee considers testimony from a June 26 oversight hearing, during which representatives from retail and meat packer groups blasted USDA's voluntary labeling guidance, which the department issued as a precursor to mandatory regulations. "In our view, most of the concerns voiced during the oversight hearing largely pertained to USDA's voluntary guidelines, not the law itself," stated the letter.

"The labeling provisions in the 2002 farm bill encompass a broad range of commodities, and, from the start of this process, we've told USDA that the labeling regulations must recognize the inherent differences in how meats, fish, peanuts, fruits and vegetables are produced, handled, processed and sold," said Ray Gilmer, director of public affairs for FFVA. "We look forward to seeing USDA issue logical and cost-effective mandatory regulations that will give U.S. consumers the origin information that consumers in other developed nations have had for years."
Produce industry groups signing the letter to Chairman Goodlatte include: American Mushroom Institute, California Avocado Commission, California Citrus Mutual, Florida Citrus Mutual, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Florida Tomato Exchange, Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, Georgia Blueberry Association, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Georgia Muscadine Association, Georgia Peach Council, Georgia Strawberry Association, Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, Idaho Grower Shippers Association, National Potato Council, Northwest Horticultural Council, South Carolina Tomato Association, Texas Vegetable Association, U. S. Apple Association, and Western Growers Association.

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is a non-profit, agricultural trade organization representing Florida's producers of fruits, vegetables and other crops. For more information, visit FFVA online at www.ffva.com, or www.americansforlabeling.org.