(16 Sep 2014) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE # apus017313
(NATS)
SINCE THE FOUNDING OF JAMESTOWN IN 1607, TOBACCO FARMING HAS BEEN A FOUNDATION OF THE SOUTH -
(NATS)
AND WITH VIRGINIA GROWERS OBSERVING 400 YEARS OF PRODUCTION THIS YEAR, MANY ARE PROUD OF THEIR HERITAGE.
SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Haskins, 4th generation tobacco farmer:
"if you choose to consume our product that's great. If you choose not to that's fine but I plan on staying in this business of growing and harvesting tobacco for as long as I can and I'll continue to do it and hope to pass it on to my son and maybe future generations."
THE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN UNDER PRESSURE FOR YEARS.
THIS SUMMER'S MEGA-MERGER BETWEEN REYNOLDS AMERICAN AND LORILLARD FURTHER FUELING THE UNCERTAINTY.
BUT CORPORATE SHAKEUPS DON'T APPEAR TO BE AFFECTING THE FARMERS.
SOUNDBITE (English) A. Blake Brown, North Carolina State University professor:
"Well, from the growers standpoint the impact will be minimal. This is the same trend we've seen in the tobacco industry for years - consolidation - because it's a mature industry, and of course cigarette consumption in the United States declining."
DESPITE THAT... THE VALUE OF THE U-S TOBACCO CROP HAS STAYED STRONG ABOUT $1.5 BILLION IN 2013...THANKS TO DEMAND FROM
OVERSEAS.
VIRGINIA TOBACCO IN PARTICULAR IS STILL GOING STRONG.
SOUNDBITE (English) Stephen Barts, tobacco farmer:
"There will continue to be a demand for tobacco, specifically from the Old-Belt region of Virginia and North Carolina simply because of the quality of the leaf that's produced in this part of the United States."
(NATS)
BIG TOBACCO MAY FACE CHANGES, BUT CHANGE IS A BIT SLOWER TO ARRIVE ON THE VIRGINIA FARMS.
MATTHEW BURGOYNE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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