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Walden bill would help pear market By PAUL FATTIG The first major legislation written by freshman Congressman Greg Walden could bear fruit for Rogue Valley pear growers. Walden's bill, approved by the House Agriculture Committee this week, is aimed at expanding the pear export market. The legislation reforms the Export Apple and Pear Act passed in 1933, a law preventing the export of nongrade A or fancy-grade fruit. Walden's bill exempts pears from that law. Although the old law was originally intended to protect the quality of American fruit, it has become an obstacle to expanding pear exports, according to Dan Hull, spokesman for the Fruit Growers League of Jackson County. "Some of the regulations from the law written in 1933 are no longer applicable," he said. "This is something that needs to be done." While it is not a "make or break" issue with the industry, it is important to help expand the export market, he noted. About 35 to 40 percent of the pears grown in the Rogue Valley are exported, he said, adding that the gross revenue of pears for local orchards is between $35 million and $45 million, depending on the crop. "What this will do is allow us to ship to countries that cannot afford top grades in volumes they can afford," Hull said, although he added that increased amount is difficult to estimate. "The old law needs to be changed -- it's antiquated," he concluded. Walden, whose parents operated orchards in the Hood River area, said the bill is intended to give fruit growers the needed flexibility to expand the export market. His legislation has been endorsed by Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman as well as the Pear Bureau Northwest and the Northwest Horticultural Council. The legislation is expected to come before the full House before the end of the month. Similar legislation sponsored by Bob Smith, Walden's predecessor, was passed by the House last year but the Senate failed to act on the bill. "In addition to the pear industry, I believe we need to provide more flexibility for all farmers," Walden said in a prepared statement. "I will be looking to address similar problems faced by other segments of agriculture." Walden, a Republican from Hood River, represents the 2nd Congressional District, which includes all of Eastern Oregon as well as Jackson and Josephine counties. Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA