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Huizenga praises federal plan to support blueberry growers

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) applauded the Trump administration for addressing the threat posed to American producers by increased foreign imports of seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables, including for the congressman’s home-state blueberry growers.

“While more work is necessary to level the playing field for all specialty crop growers, this announcement is a very positive step forward,” Rep. Huizenga said on Sept. 2.

The “Report on Seasonal and Perishable Products in U.S. Commerce,” released on Sept. 2 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Commerce Department, and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), outlines a coordinated plan by the agencies to support U.S. growers by having USTR request that the International Trade Commission initiate a Section 201 global safeguard investigation into the extent to which increased imports of blueberries have caused serious injury to domestic blueberry growers, according to the plan.

“This is a major development for Michigan blueberry growers,” said Rep. Huizenga. “By requesting the International Trade Commission open an investigation, the administration is demonstrating its commitment to ensuring that Michigan family farms are not being undercut by unsavory trade practices from foreign countries.”

Additionally, the Commerce Department will establish a formal channel for stakeholders to provide information related to unfair subsidies for foreign producers and exporters of seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables, including those in Mexico, according to the report. It also notes that an interagency working group will be established to monitor seasonal and perishable fruit and vegetable products, coordinate future investigations and trade actions, and provide technical assistance to members of Congress in developing related legislation.

Release of the federal plan follows efforts this summer by Rep. Huizenga to support home-state blueberry growers. Last month, for instance, the congressman and USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue toured the family-owned and operated West Olive, Mich.-based Crossroads Blueberry Farms to discuss the challenges facing local growers, including those from foreign imports. 

And in July, Rep. Huizenga visited Reenders Blueberry Farm, another family-owned and operated business in West Olive, Mich., to check on the status of this year’s harvest and to discuss the importance of having fair trade, according to the congressman’s office.

Ripon Advance News Service

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