Date: 1982-05-18
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of H.R. 6164. a bill to implement the Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment To Be Used for Such Carriage. Before I explain the provisions of the bill. allow me to give you a brief history and background on this agreement that will shed some light on the need and purpose for this legislation. Some years back. the Economic Commission for Europe. a subsidiary of the United Nations. came to an accord on Intercountry (European) transportation of perishable foodstuffs that requires that all temperaturecontrolled railroad cars. trailers. and containers be inspected and certified as meeting ATP standards. ATP is the acronym for the French title of the agreement meaning "Accord on Transportation of Perishables." ATP signatory nations can and (o impose ATP requirements on containers owned by citizens of nonsignatory countries. Although Americanowned and operated equipment consistently exceeds the ATP standards and specifications. it is often subject to harassment and transportation delays simply because the United States is not a signatory of this agreement These delays could cause significant disruptions to the flow of U.S. agricultural exports. The Senate. by a 920 vote. has already given its advice and consent to this treaty. However. before the State Department can actually sign this treaty. legislation must be enacted which would assign responsibility for administration of the treaty to the Secretary of Agriculture. H.R. 6164 designates the Secretary of Agriculture as the properly authorized person to administer this act. and fulfills the necessary prerequisite to the United States becoming a signatory of the treaty. This act will make it possible for equipment in the United States to be inspected. tested. and certified in accordance with the agreement and the standards specified therein. This act will improve the conditions for the movement of perishable foodstuffs in international carriage in equipment owned or operated by U.S. firms. which will serve to protect existing trade and promote expansion of trade in perishable foodstuffs. and will improve the sale of U.S. manufactured equipment for use in international carriage. II 2277 H 2278 CO In administering this act. the Secretary is authorized toFirst. designate appropriate organizations to inspect and test equipment. Second. issue certificates of compliance. Third. prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to implement the agreement and administer this act. Fourth. make periodic onsite instpections of facilities and procedures used by those seeking certificates of compliance and by organizations designated to test or inspect equipment under this act: Fifth. require submission of reports and maintenance of records. Sixth. inform contracting parties. through the Secretary of State of the United States. of all general measures taken in connection with the implementation of the agreement. and Seventh. authorize the Secretary of State to take such action as the Secretary of Agriculture may deem necessary to protect the interests of the United States. As to the costs of this legislation. an annual appropriation of $100.000 is authorized for the establishment of the program. after which the program is expected to be selffinanced by user fees to cover costs for testing and inspection as well as administrative costs incurred by the Secretary. In closing. Mr. Speaker. I want the Members to know that this act which implements the treaty is viewed as noncontroversial and has the support of the White House. the Departments of State. Agriculture. Transportation. and the Maritime Administration. I ask all Members to join me in supporting enactment of H.R. 6164.