7 USC 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.
Terms Used In 7 USC 4901
- individual: shall include every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development. See 1 USC 8
- promotion: means any action taken by the Board, under this chapter, to present a favorable image for watermelons to the public with the express intent of improving the competitive position of watermelons in the marketplace and stimulating sales of watermelons, and shall include, but not be limited to, paid advertising. See 7 USC 4902
- United States: means each of the several States and the District of Columbia. See 7 USC 4902
- watermelon: means all varieties of watermelon grown by producers in the United States or imported into the United States. See 7 USC 4902
(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.