U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and his Florida teammates in Congress on Jan. 3 introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to improve trade between Mexico and seasonal produce growers in Florida and other states.
Rep. Buchanan unveiled the Defending Domestic Produce Production Act, H.R. 101 with U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, Jr. (D-FL), while U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced the same-named S. 16 to support fruit and vegetable growers around the nation that are fighting against Mexico’s unfair trade practices.
“Our beleaguered growers continue to be harmed by Mexico’s unfair subsidies and illegal seasonal dumping,” said Rep. Buchanan. “This legislation will level the playing field for a vital industry to Florida’s economy.”
The bill would amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide for the treatment of core seasonal industries affected by anti-dumping or countervailing duty investigations, among other purposes, according to the congressional record.
Specifically, the measure would relax certain thresholds to permit American farmers to petition the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate illegal subsidies and dumping of Mexican fruits and vegetables in the U.S. market, according to statements released last week by the lawmakers.
“We must do all we can to ensure a level playing field for Florida’s fruit and vegetable growers,” Sen. Rubio said. “Absent any effective agreement with the Mexican government covering seasonal and perishable produce imports, I’m proud to support this bill to increase opportunities for Florida growers to successfully seek relief from the illegal dumping of Mexican winter produce into our domestic markets.”
The Sunshine State currently ranks as the nation’s second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables, a $12 billion-plus economy that supports almost 100,000 jobs in the state, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture.
Since 2000, however, Florida has lost an estimated $1 billion to $3 billion annually due to increased Mexican agricultural imports, according to the statement from Buchanan’s office.
Alleged dumping of Mexican produce into the American agriculture market “has put Florida’s farmers at a disadvantage” and is crippling the state’s agriculture industry, said Rep. Lawson. “The Defending Domestic Produce Production Act will work to protect Florida’s farmer,” he said.
H.R. 101 has been referred to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee for consideration, while S. 16 is under review by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.