Washington, DC — The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Commerce released a report today outlining the Trump Administration’s plan to address the threat posed by increased foreign imports to American producers of seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables. The plan follows public hearings held in August where more than 60 witnesses …
Tomato Industry Expert: Inspections Running Smoothly
Though Mexican exports of tomatoes have not reached the ‘peak’ season, inspections appear to be running smoothly and efficiently, says Michael Schadler, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. The inspection provision, which was part of the Tomato Suspension Agreement established in September, 2019 between the U.S. Department of Commerce and Mexican tomato exporters, allows for the United States …
Mexican Exports Eroding Florida Specialty Crop Markets
By Tacy Callies Florida fruit and vegetable growers are acutely aware of the negative impacts that Mexico’s exports have had on their ability to remain competitive. In a recent virtual presentation on the subject, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association President Mike Joyner shared some shocking statistics from a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) report. Published in July, …
Plan in Place?
USTR Sets Sept. 1 Date for Response to Hearings Florida and Georgia seasonal produce farmers who testified in hearings regarding unfair trade practices the past two weeks should not have to wait long to see how the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office will respond to their concerns with Mexico. Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association …
Auburn Economist: 301 Investigation Could Spark Retaliation From Mexico
Georgia and Florida vegetable and specialty crop farmers are calling for a Section 301 investigation into unfair trade practices regarding Mexican imports. But Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension economist Adam Rabinowitz is concerned about the potential ramifications that could loom as a result. Section 301 According to the International Trade Administration, Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 …
Georgia Ag Leaders Call for Healthy, Fair Trade
Georgia producers and industry leaders had their turn to testify on Thursday during a virtual hearing with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office about unfair trade practices with Mexico. The hearings provided the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trump Administration an opportunity to hear from growers in Georgia about the urgent need for federal action regarding unfair trade. This was the …
Collins Testifies on Mexico’s Unfair Trade Practices During Virtual Hearing on Seasonal Produce
Raises concern over Mexico’s unfair trade practices and its effect on Georgia farmers ATLANTA, Ga. – Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) testified today on Mexico’s unfair trade practices that are severely and negatively impacting Georgia’s seasonal and perishable produce farmers during a virtual hearing hosted by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and …
Georgia Farmers Testify About Mexico’s Unfair Trade Practices
Georgia farmers and industry leaders testified on Thursday in virtual hearings with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office regarding unfair trade practices with Mexico. Each producer shared similar thoughts that some action must be taken, such as a 301 Investigation, because the future of the American farmer is at stake. The hearings provided the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trump Administration …
Georgia Blueberry Producer: You Don’t Have to Have a Ph.D. in Economics to See What’s happening
Russ Goodman Talks About Impact of Unfair Trade Ahead of Thursday’s Virtual Hearing A prominent blueberry producer in Southeast Georgia believes the future of the American family farm could hinge on any action taken as a result of the virtual hearing scheduled for Thursday. Russ Goodman is one of several farmers and industry leaders in Georgia who will testify in …
Charles Hall: Hearings Are One Step in the Process
Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, understands changes to the unfair trade practices that are being experienced by seasonal growers in Georgia and Florida with regards to Mexican imports are not going to happen overnight. But he is hopeful the virtual hearings on Thursday, Aug. 13 and the one next week on Thursday, Aug. …