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Proposed Revision of U.S. Fruit/Vegetable Import Regulations Threatens American Citrus Growers December 3, 2002

Contact: Claire H. Smith (818) 379-7455

Sherman Oaks, Calif., December 3, 2002..."We are deeply troubled by the lack of phytosanitary protection for citrus and other impacted commodities in the proposed revision of the U.S. fruit and vegetable import regulations," said Mike Wootton, Vice President of Corporate Relations for
Sunkist Growers.

On October 1, 2002, APHIS proposed a dramatic revision of U.S. fruit and vegetable import regulations setting precedents which would have significant damaging effects upon American growers. The comment period on these regulations closed today.

"These revisions place American growers in danger of grave economic harm in the event of a quarantine pest or disease outbreak," said Wootton. "We are requesting that APHIS reconsider this flawed proposal and withdraw it immediately."

As it currently stands, said Wootton, the proposed rule would:

1. Reduce U.S. standards and defer absolute authority for creation of U.S. import standards to an inaccessible international body.
   
   
2. Impose mandates upon individual states and local governments by pre-empting their authority to restrict entry of fruits and vegetables imported under these regulations, without assuming the full cost of eradication for pests and diseases that are hitchhiking on these commodities.
   
   
3. Relax U.S. standards, while foreign trading partners continue to strengthen their opposition to similar standards, thereby multiplying the economic harm to American agricultural interests, amounting to "unilateral agricultural disarmament" in the international trade area.
   
   

On behalf of its 6,000 members, Sunkist has prepared a "white paper" addressing in detail the concerns of the cooperative and the citrus industry. Copies are available by contacting Claire Smith at csmith@sunkistgrowers.com or by calling 818-379-7455.

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