[20010418]RS20378_易腐农产品法案（PACA）.pdf

1 USDA/AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Division, PACA Fact Finder: 1. Web address:http:/www.ams.usda.gov/fv/paca.htmCongressional Research Service ? The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20378 Updated April 18, 2001The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act(PACA)Brenda BranamanAnalyst in Agricultural PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryThe Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) of 1930 was enacted topromote fair trading practices in the fruit and vegetables industry, and to ensure thatsellers are paid, even if the buyers become bankrupt. PACA also provides proceduresfor resolving disputes outside the civil court system. The Fruit and Vegetable DisputeResolution Corporation (DRC) which resolves trade disputes between fruit and vegetablecompanies doing business in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is based on PACA.The Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-224, enacted in June 2000)provided $30.5 million to PACA so that license fees would not need to be raised. In thewake of a bribery incident at the Hunts Point Wholesale Produce Market it also provided$11.5 million to improve the Agricultural Market