7 U.S.C. § 4901 : US Code - Section 4901: Congressional findings and declaration of policy

Search 7 U.S.C. § 4901 : US Code - Section 4901: Congressional findings and declaration of policy

(a) Congress finds that - 
(1) the per capita consumption of watermelons in the United
States has declined steadily in recent years;
(2) watermelons are an important cash crop to many farmers in
the United States and are an economical, enjoyable, and healthful
food for consumers;
(3) approximately 2,607,600,000 pounds of watermelons with a
farm value of $158,923,000 were produced in 1981 in the United
States;
(4) watermelons move in the channels of interstate commerce,
and watermelons that do not move in such channels directly affect
interstate commerce;
(5) the maintenance and expansion of existing markets and the
establishment of new or improved markets and uses for watermelons
are vital to the welfare of watermelon growers and those
concerned with marketing, using, handling, and importing
watermelons, as well as the general economic welfare of the
Nation; and
(6) the development and implementation of coordinated programs
of research, development, advertising, and promotion are
necessary to maintain and expand existing markets and establish
new or improved markets and uses for watermelons.
(b) It is declared to be the policy of Congress that it is
essential in the public interest, through the exercise of the
powers provided herein, to authorize the establishment of an
orderly procedure for the development, financing (through adequate
assessments on watermelons harvested in the United States, or
imported into the United States, for commercial use), and carrying
out of an effective, continuous, and coordinated program of
research, development, advertising, and promotion designed to
strengthen the watermelon's competitive position in the
marketplace, and establish, maintain, and expand domestic and
foreign markets for watermelons. The purpose of this chapter is to
so authorize the establishment of such procedure and the
development, financing, and carrying out of such program. Nothing
in this chapter may be construed to dictate quality standards nor
provide for the control of production or otherwise limit the right
of individual watermelon producers to produce watermelons.