Key Legislative & Regulatory Positions

Agricultural Labor Reform
USApple´s top policy priority is to enact meaningful agricultural labor reform into law and prevent onerous new regulation and enforcement mechanisms on apple employers. USApple opposes mandatory E-Verify legislation unless it contains viable agricultural labor provisions which address both the current and future workforce. 

Usapple is active in several national coalitions including the Agricultural Workforce Coalition, the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform, the National Council of Agricultural Employers, and the H−2B Coalition.

Agricultural Labor Position Paper

Media Release: USApple Supports Agriculture Provisions in Immigration Reform Bill - 4/18/13

Statement by the Agriculture Workforce Coalition on Immigration Agreement - 4/12/13

Statement by the Agriculture Workforce Coalition on the Bipartisan Senate Immigration Principles - 1/28/13

Media Release: U.S. Apple Association Joins Call to Address Nation’s Agriculture Labor Needs - 1/11/13

2013 Farm Bill
USApple is a founding member of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), the grower coalition working to maintain funding for specialty crops in the next Farm Bill.  USApple supports mandatory funding for key Farm Bill programs including the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Market Access Program and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program. USApple supports mandatory funding for the Tree Assistance Program (TAP).

Farm Bill Position Paper

Trade with China
China has requested access to the U.S. market for fresh apples. But the USDA has identified numerous pests and plant diseases present in Chinese apple production that do not exist in the United States. Under no circumstance should these pest and disease threats be allowed to enter this country and jeopardize U.S. apple production. USApple plans to alert interested Members of Congress of any political or regulatory development that would threaten the viability of the U.S. apple industry.

Chinese Fresh Apple Imports Position Paper

Expanding Exports: Promotion Funding & International Trade Agreements
USApple supports free trade agreements when they will gain greater foreign market access for U.S. apple exports and increase export sales opportunities. Meaningful increased market access occurs when trade agreements include provisions to reduce or eliminate foreign import tariffs, and when negotiations resolve unreasonable, non−science based phytosanitary restrictions.  Funding for critical trade enhancement programs such as the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Technical Assistance Program for Specialty Crops (TASC) are top USApple priorities.

International Trade Position Paper

Research
Research priorities supported by USApple include improving plant quality, increasing productivity in orchards, packing operations and processing facilities, and protecting plant health. USApple works with USDA and related research entities to support federal funding and industry collaboration in the priority areas of genetics, genomics and plant breeding, automation, sensor technology and diagnostics, and improving plant health.

Specialty Crop Research Position Paper

Crop Protection
USApple supports continued access to key crop protection tools and a science−based approach to regulation by EPA and other agencies.

Crop Protection Position Paper

Biotechnology
USApple endorses a science−based regulatory structure that allows tree fruit biotechnology research to progress but at the same time one that protects human health and the environment as well as preserving individual choice and safeguarding the marketplace.

USApple's Statement on Genetically Engineered Apples

Health Benefits Research
Promising research results suggest a link between apples and weight loss, brain health (including Alzheimer’s disease), certain forms of cancer, lung and heart health and stroke. Apples are an excellent source of dietary fiber. In addition, apples are also a healthy source of antioxidants, which have been linked to disease prevention.

Health Benefits Research Review

Food Safety
USApple believes food safety practices should be risk−based, commodity−specific and reflect sound science to help ensure consumers are provided healthy and nutritious apples and other produce items.

USApple's Food Safety Regulatory Affairs Page