Commerce Deputy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today joined by Virginia Senator John Warner at the U.S. Capitol issued an Export Trade Certificate of Review for the Virginia Apple Growers Association.   "By exporting together, small- and medium-sized businesses can bolster their competitiveness, benefit from lower individual export costs, and increase efficiency in every phase of exporting," said Deputy Secretary Bodman. "With this tool, these Virginia growers can now work together to create jobs and boost their local economies through increased exports."

An Export Trade Certificate of Review issued by the Department of Commerce's Export Trading Company Affairs provides small- and medium-sized U.S. businesses with antitrust law exemptions to undertake certain joint exporting activities. The Commerce Department works with the Justice Department in reviewing applications and issuing Export Trade Certificates. The Virginia Apple Growers Association applied for U.S. antitrust protection so that the participating firms can share the costs and risks of exporting, and avoid rivalry in export markets. VAGA's application for an Export Trade Certificate of Review was on behalf of itself and the following member firms: Bowman Fruit Sales, L.L.C. of Timberville, VA; Crown Orchard Company, LLP of Batesville, VA; Flippin-Seaman, Inc. of Tyro, VA; and Fred L. Glaize, L.C. of Winchester, VA.

Export Trading Company Affairs (ETCA) was created by Congress as part of the Export Trading Company Act of 1982.  Located in the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, ETCA promotes the formation and use of export trade intermediaries and the development of joint export ventures by U.S. firms, including joint ventures by U.S. firms that are competitors in the domestic market.