Congressmen Doc Hastings, R-Wash., Dave Reichert, R-Wash., Jim McDermott, D-Wash., and 13 other members of the House of Representatives recently urged the Indonesian government to reconsider new regulations that will make it more difficult to export U.S. fresh fruits and vegetables to Indonesia.

"Our trading partners should be held accountable for unfair policies that place United States growers at a competitive disadvantage," Hastings said in a press release. "Indonesia is a top market for Washington state apples, pears and cherries, and these regulations could severely limit the ability for our growers to continue to ship to this important market with no scientific basis."

The new rules would impose licensing, labeling and pre-shipment requirements for fresh fruit and vegetables that U.S. lawmakers said could become a barrier to U.S. exports.

Indonesia is one of the top five importers of Washington apples. In 2010, it was a $57 million market for Northwest apples, pears and cherries.