For Mother's Day -- Honoring Moms, Supporting Californians

Press Release

Just in time for Mother's Day, Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) is leading a bipartisan group of forty members of the California Congressional delegation in supporting the creation of a competitive playing field for the state's cut flower growers. With Issa as the lead Republican signer, the delegation last week delivered a letter to President Barack Obama urging his Administration to keep California's prized floral production industry in mind as it works to enact the United States-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. U.S. policies included in the Andean Trade Preferences Act have, in the past, provided considerable advantages to Colombian floral producers over domestic growers. The full text of the letter is available here.

"The goal for California's floral industry sadly isn't job creation right now, it's job preservation. And the United States government has had a hand in their predicament," Congressman Issa stated. "As foreign growers have surged, the American entrepreneurs in this business have worked longer and harder and broken creative barriers to try and remain competitive. While our delegation continues to advocate to the Administration for fairness in this industry, Californians have an opportunity this Mother's Day to support California's flower growers."

"We are fortunate to have Congressman Issa representing the concerns of California's flower farmers and helping us gain the attention and support necessary for our long term viability here in California," said Michael Anthony Mellano, Vice President of Growing for Mellano & Co. located in Oceanside, CA. "Having the Congressman's help to address our concerns with the pending free trade agreement with Colombia will help ensure that we can continue to supply California Grown Flowers, America's best source for locally grown flowers, to moms everywhere on Mother's Day."

California's flower growers produce approximately 80 percent of domestically grown flowers, and account for almost 20 percent of all United States flower sales. 122,000 Californians are employed through this industry (14,000 directly by flower farms). But in recent years, the numbers of California flower farms and acreage dedicated to cut flower production have decreased while heavily subsidized Colombian floral production has increased 89 percent. A high profile example of the Colombian industry's success is found in California's own Tournament of Roses Parade where the vast majority of flowers are now imported from Colombia.

Under the Andean Trade Preferences Act and through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. has directed millions of dollars to Colombia's floral growers in an effort to fortify their legal economy. This comes in addition to the $210 million in subsidies and support approved by Colombia's own government between 2005 and 2009.

Through innovation, product diversification, and sheer determination, California growers are aggressively working to remain competitive. In conjunction with the California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC.org), they have prioritized product quality and environmental sustainability. They are also in the final development phase for a new transportation and shipping center that is expected to reduce shipping costs 30 to 40 percent.

Congressman Issa's support for California flower growers is part of a broader effort to reform government regulation and policies that stand as barricades to United States job creation. Visit www.AmericanJobCreators.com for more information.

Source