On July 7th, the CCFC provided public testimony at the International Trade Commission hearing on the Andean Trade Preferences Act (ATPA). The CCFC's CEO/Ambassador Kasey Cronquist highlighted the real impacts felt by California's cut flower farmers over the past 20 years of duty free access provided by the ATPA. The Commission's testimony cited both quantitative and qualitative data that reflects the loss of California flower farms and marketshare over the past 20 years.
The Commission's testimony also highlighted the current efforts under taken by California's flower farmers to remain competitive. The Commission specifically cited the "New Model Network" transportation initiative underway to help more California flowers reach more people everywhere and thanked Senator Feinstein, Representative Lois Capps, Representative Sam Farr and the 38 Members of the California Congressional Delegation who recently signed a letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack supporting this testimony.
A copy of the Commission's testimony can be found here: CCFC's 2010 ITC Testimony
An audio version of the testimony can be found here: CCFC's 2010 ITC Testimony – audio
Source: California Cut Flower Commission