01/28/05 China and Tree T.A.C.

01/28/05 China and Tree T.A.C.

As the U.S. apple industry continues its preparation to meet the challenge of China, and the possibility of Chinese apples entering the U.S. market, it has come to the point that China has asked U.S.D.A. to allow its product into the U.S. That has resulted in the U.S. Apple Association and others in America's apple industry to develop a two prong strategy to prepare for the potential entry of Chinese apples. FOSTER: One is to work with Doctor Jim McPherson and other research experts around the country to develop a long term strategy to reduce costs in this industry and to enhance competitiveness. But Nancy Foster of U.S. Apples says the second part of the strategy involves the addressing of phytosanitary issues with Chinese apples. And in that regard, again the research end of the industry becomes important. And Foster says one sounding board for various aspects of the U.S. apple industry comes in the form of the Tree Fruit Technical Advisory Council. FOSTER: The purpose of Tree T.A.C. is to prevent the introduction of imported pest and diseases that could ravage your crops. We work directly with U.S.D.A. and the industry on technical issues, because they don't have all the answers. In fact, they want our input in terms of some of the best research minds in the country providing data and good science. Individual comment will also be key in aiding U.S.D.A. in developing its policy to allow apples from China into the U.S. The process that U.S.D.A. is going through in that regard is discussed in our next program.
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