54 



full complement of export and food program initiatives if agri- 

 culture is to be a growth industry in the future and to meet its 

 market humanitarian commitments. Agriculture can be competitive 

 in the marketplace as long as Government policies are also com- 

 petitive with those of the competition. 



Let me conclude my testimony by complimenting the chairman 

 and the committee for their leadership in opening a dialog on these 

 important issues. I will be happy to answer any questions you may 

 have. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Barr appears at the conclusion 

 of the hearing.] 



Mr. Penny. Thank you. Next, Mr. Schlect. 



STATEMENT OF CHRISTIAN SCHLECT, PRESIDENT, 

 NORTHWEST HORTICULTURAL COUNCIL 



Mr. Schlect. Yes, thank you. My testimony is, I think, before 

 the committee and I won't read it, unless you request it be read. 



Mr. Penny. Without objection. 



Mr. Schlect. As the last witness of a long day, I will kind of 

 paraphrase a lot of ideas, with your permission. One is, I have been 

 involved in this type of activity for about 14 years. I am from out- 

 side this immediate area, Yakima, Washington, and worked in the 

 fruit industry for those years. And prior to that, I grew up in an 

 apple orchard. So I may bring a perspective of how it impacts a 

 specific crop. 



I think our crop is representative of a lot of high value, value- 

 added products. And maybe that is why I was invited here today. 

 In our case, the market promotion program is one of the best, if 

 not the best programs, contained in the last farm bill, and we 

 would hope it would be extended into the new farm bill. 



It has allowed us and I think a lot of other people in commodities 

 throughout the Nation to work with Government and promote a 

 product in an effective way. And I think one of the things in the 

 debate over the new farm bill that shouldn't be lost and has been 

 mentioned before is the cooperation between the private sector and 

 USDA, specifically the Foreign Agricultural Service. It is impor- 

 tant, it is alive, it is out there, and it needs to be nurtured. 



I think we have a program that a lot of countries around the 

 world envy, and I think that having the private sector involved 

 adds a lot to the effectiveness of the Government programs. 



The one area that Chris Goldthwait mentioned that I believe and 

 I hope is carried out right now even prior to the farm bill is the 

 coordinated effort. I think Congress probably recognizes, but it 

 should be emphasized that in our types of agricultural initiatives, 

 oftentimes it will be technical expertise required from APHIS, from 

 ARS, and other agencies of USDA. 



We have the sanitary and phytosanitary — entire area that I 

 think will be of increased importance. FAS can no longer work 

 alone in these areas. FAS should be the lead agency and should do 

 the coordination, but other agencies of USDA and in fact Govern- 

 ment, such as EPA and FDA, need to be involved and Congress 

 needs to let them know that that is an important function, that 

 these agricultural issues just aren't something on the side to their 

 agencies. They should be fully participating when called upon. 



