Bush Administration, Members of Virginia Congressional Delegation
Help Virginia Small Businesses Export
Virginia Apple Growers Association Receives Export Trade Certificate of Review

Commerce Deputy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today joined by Virginia Senator John Warner at the U.S. Capitol issued an Export Trade Certificate of Review for the Virginia Apple Growers Association.

"By exporting together, small- and medium-sized businesses can bolster their competitiveness, benefit from lower individual export costs, and increase efficiency in every phase of exporting," said Deputy Secretary Bodman. "With this tool, these Virginia growers can now work together to create jobs and boost their local economies through increased exports."

An Export Trade Certificate of Review issued by the Department of Commerce Office of Export Trading Company Affairs provides small- and medium-sized U.S. businesses with antitrust law exemptions to undertake certain joint exporting activities. The Commerce Department works with the Justice Department in reviewing applications and issuing Export Trade Certificates.

The Virginia Apple Growers Association applied for U.S. antitrust protection so that the participating firms can share the costs and risks of exporting, and avoid rivalry in export markets. VAGA's application for an Export Trade Certificate of Review was on behalf of itself and the following member firms: Bowman Fruit Sales, L.L.C. of Timberville, VA; Crown Orchard Company, LLP of Batesville, VA; Flippin-Seaman, Inc. of Tyro, VA; and Fred L. Glaize, L.C. of Winchester, VA.

Operating under the protection of its Export Trade Certificate, the Virginia Apple Growers Association and the participating members can, among other things, jointly negotiate and enter into agreements with foreign buyers regarding export prices, quantities, and terms and conditions of sales, and they can jointly negotiate with export service providers for favorable rates and discounts. This type of coordination among the participants can reduce their export unit costs and enhance their competitiveness in export markets.

The apple growers are represented by: Senator John Warner, Senator George Allen, Congressman Frank Wolf, Congressman Bob Goodlatte, and Congressman Virgil Goode.

From Left to right: Thomas Sleight, Virginia Department of Agriculture; Sonny Bowman, Virginia Apple Growers Association; Dr. Bodman; Phil Glaize, President, Virginia Apple Growers Association; Senator John Warner (VA)