§4601. Congressional findings and statement of purpose

The Congress finds that:

(1) Honey is produced by many individual producers in every State in the United States.

(2) Honey and honey products move in large part in the channels of interstate and foreign commerce, and honey which does not move in such channels directly burdens or affects interstate commerce.

(3) In recent years, large quantities of low-cost, imported honey have been brought into the United States, replacing domestic honey in the normal trade channels.

(4) The maintenance and expansion of existing honey markets and the development of new or improved markets or uses are vital to the welfare of honey producers and those concerned with marketing, using, and processing honey, along with those engaged in general agricultural endeavors requiring bees for pollinating purposes.

(5) The honey production industry within the United States is comprised mainly of small- and medium-sized businesses.

(6) The development and implementation of coordinated programs of research, promotion, and consumer education necessary for the maintenance of markets and the development of new markets have been inadequate.

(7) Without cooperative action in providing for and financing such programs, honey producers, honey handlers, wholesalers, and retailers are unable to implement programs of research, promotion, and consumer education necessary to maintain and improve markets for these products.

(b)(1)¹ It is, therefore, the purpose of this chapter to authorize the establishment of an orderly procedure for the development and financing, through an adequate assessment, of an effective and coordinated program of research, promotion, and consumer education designed to strengthen the position of the honey industry in the marketplace and maintain, develop, and expand markets for honey and honey products.

(2) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to dictate quality standards for honey, provide for control of its production, or otherwise limit the right of the individual honey producer to produce honey. This chapter treats foreign producers equitably, and nothing in this chapter may be construed as a trade barrier to honey produced in foreign countries.

(Pub. L. 98 590, §2, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3115.)

Short Title of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101 624, title XIX, §1981, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3904, provided that: "This chapter [chapter 1 (§§1981 1987) of subtitle F of title XIX of Pub. L. 101 624, enacting section 4610a of this title, amending sections 4602, 4606, 4608, and 4612 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 4603 of this title] may be cited as the 'Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act Amendments of 1990'."

Short Title

Section 1 of Pub. L. 98 590 provided that: "This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the 'Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act'."

¹So in original. No subsec. (a) has been enacted.