A bipartisan bill cosponsored on Nov. 5 by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) aims to level the playing field for American specialty crop producers by establishing a way for producers and trade associations to give input on unfair trade practices.
“This bipartisan legislation would instruct federal agencies to work together to monitor and address unfair trade practices that disadvantage these industries,” Sen. Collins said. “By improving coordination and oversight, our bill would help protect farmers who produce specialty crops from the market disruptions that threaten their livelihoods.”
The Fairness for Fruits and Vegetables Act of 2025, S. 3112, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), would form an interagency working group between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Commerce Department, and other federal agencies that would be composed of representatives from each agency to monitor and assess, on an ongoing basis, seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables trade data and related information, according to the text of the bill.
The working group would coordinate as appropriate regarding potential additional trade actions and investigations with respect to any seasonal or perishable agricultural products, the text says, and would consult with the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee and other trade associations to identify threats that imports pose to domestic producers before recommending programs or assistance that could be provided to them to address market impacts.
“Our food supply is nothing without our specialty crops, like blueberries, cherries, and asparagus,” said Sen. Slotkin. “Because these crops face unique challenges, they deserve policies tailored to their realities. This legislation and new working group will strengthen connections and coordination between federal agencies and ensure specialty crop producers are getting a fair deal.”