WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced that the Senate approved $4.5 million for the planning, site selection and design of the U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, Hawaii. This Center will address the critical research needs of crop production in Hawaii and the Pacific, will help farmers prepare these products for local markets or for export, and will develop sanitation methods to meet export requirements.

"I am pleased that the Senate recognized that the Pacific Basin is an extremely important region for tropical and subtropical agricultural production, processing and trade, which faces unique challenges that cannot be compared with temperate zone agriculture. Last year, the Subcommittee directed the Agricultural Research Service to assess the feasibility of expanding its mission in Hawaii by establishing a U.S. Basin Agricultural Research Center to serve the state and the entire U.S.-affiliated Pacific Basin. The Center will serve Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas and the other U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands, and define this region's role in the U.S. agriculture industry" said Senator Inouye.

"The Island of Hawaii and its economy will certainly benefit from this initiative, allowing for new and exciting job opportunities on the Big Island. Additionally, the agriculture industry for the entire state will be supported by the highest levels of agricultural research available," continued Inouye.

This initiative is included in the Fiscal Year 1999 Agriculture Appropriations bill which will now face a joint House-Senate Conference and final Senate vote before its transmittal to the White House.