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Jra w~`^ and no one will put in a treatment facility until the plantings are sufficient to justify building the facility. It is governments role to provide an environment where private enterprise can thrive. It is also common place for the government to develop the infrastructure so that commerce is facilitated, like roads, ports and airports. In Hawaii the government has assisted in agricultural infrastructure like water systems and the vacuum facility for Waiamea farmers. We believe government has a critical role in attracting the infrastructure needed to permit access to the markets in our own country. We are currently using irradiation technology for fruit fly disinfestation treatment in Chicago. The process works extremely well for our fruit. We have shipped 34 test shipments to date, each involving 1 to 3 LD3 airfrieght containers. After treatment, the fruit has been transported and sold in New York, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, California, Washington, Texas and Florida. The treatment and transportation costs can run as high as $1.85 per pound. Iri addition to cost, transportation is a key bottleneck. Fruit must be flown on direct flights to Chicago which has Iimited capacity and subsequent flights often are delayed resulting in deterioration of fruit quality. These are two of the main reasons we need an irradiator located here in Hawaii. Our experience is that, given the chance to make a purchase decision, consumers want our products. This is evidenced by reorders from every store and wholesaler carrying our products. The fact that they are treated with irradiation is not an issue to them. What is important is that the produce looks and tastes fresh. Using irradiation as a process allows us to deliver just that, tree ripened high quality produce. The only marketing problems we have experienced is from organized targeted opposition initiated from Food and Water, Inc. Their tactics included jamming wholesaler or retailers phone lines with threatening calls as well as pickets. They have gotten individual chains and distributors to cave in because the small volume we represent at present isn't perceived as worth the negative publicity. However, United Fruit and Vegetable Association, who represents most of the nations produce wholesalers, has already come to the defense of its members and is willing to participate in an organized national response to the terrorist tactics of Food and Water, Inc.