BILL NUMBER: AJR 15	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Alejo

                        AUGUST 15, 2011

   Relative to California cut flowers.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AJR 15, as introduced, Alejo. California cut flowers.
   This measure would urge the United States government to consider
the California jobs and economic stimulus provided by the California
floriculture industry when advancing free trade agreements,
specifically with Colombia.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, California produces some of the finest fresh cut flowers
in the world; and
   WHEREAS, Over 75 percent of domestically grown flowers are grown
in California, accounting for almost 20 percent of all flowers sold
in the United States, directly supporting more than 10,000 jobs in
the state, and having a $10.3 billion economic impact on the economy;
and
   WHEREAS, The number of our state's flower farms is shrinking
rapidly due to federal trade policies beyond their control,
specifically with countries like Colombia that have benefitted from
the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) and Colombian and United
States government subsidies for the past two decades; and
   WHEREAS, ATPA countries, primarily Colombia, supplied 82 percent
of the total value of United States imports of fresh cut flowers in
2009; and
   WHEREAS, The Colombian government gave roughly $210 million in
subsidies and support to their cut flower industry from 2005 to 2009,
inclusive, and the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) has given Colombia millions of dollars to assist
in the development of its flower industry; and
   WHEREAS, Colombian exports to the United States increased 89
percent between 2002 and 2010 and has resulted in a steep and rapid
decline in the number of domestic flower growers; and
   WHEREAS, The number of acres dedicated to cut flower production in
the United States declined by 22 percent from 2002 to 2010,
inclusive; and
   WHEREAS, The 2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference Report
included language urging the United States Secretary of Agriculture
to "use all available resources to support domestic flower growers in
their efforts to develop an efficient and environmentally friendly
transportation, storage, and distribution system to better compete
with foreign producers"; and
   WHEREAS, California growers are working aggressively to overcome
trade challenges through innovation, diversification, and sheer
determination; and
   WHEREAS, Working with the California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC),
the state agricultural commission that advocates on behalf of
California flower farmers, California floriculture has worked to
remain competitive by offering higher end products produced in an
increasingly environmentally sustainable manner; and
   WHEREAS, California flower farmers use the latest in horticultural
science to increase yields and develop new varieties for the market,
while also meeting California labor and environmental standards that
are much higher than their foreign competitors; and
   WHEREAS, California flower farmers are also in the final phase of
developing a new transportation, logistics, and shipping system and
center that would reduce California floriculture shipping costs by 30
percent to 40 percent; and
   WHEREAS, Floriculture is an important California industry that
must be considered as the United States works to advance the pending
United States - Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement; now, therefore,
be it
   Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the United States
government to consider the California jobs and economic stimulus
provided by the California floriculture industry when advancing free
trade agreements, specifically with Colombia; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United
States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the
Majority Leader of the Senate, to each Senator and Representative
from California in the Congress of the United States, and to the
author for appropriate distribution.