Huizenga requests federal agencies meet with Michigan farmers to address foreign trade

Western Michigan area farmers, growers and producers are reeling from negative foreign trade practices and representatives from the Trump administration should visit the state to hear from them directly about the impact, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) said last week.

“West Michigan is one of the most diverse agricultural communities in the nation,” Rep. Huizenga said. “Currently, our seasonal and perishable specialty crop growers are forced to compete on a playing field that is tilted against them.”

Specifically, growers of asparagus, blueberries and cherries “lack the proper ability to address the dubious trade practices being used by other nations,” he added.

In a Jan. 17 letter written by Rep. Huizenga and sent to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer, the congressman requested that the Office of the USTR, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Commerce schedule a field hearing in west Michigan to meet with west Michigan farmers and growers to gain an “invaluable perspective” on the trade issues that are threatening their livelihoods, he wrote.

According to Huizenga’s letter, one in four Michigan jobs is supported by agriculture, which is the second-largest industry in the state having a $100 billion economic impact annually.

“When Michigan farmers have a level playing field, they can compete with anyone in the world,” Rep. Huizenga wrote. “However, foreign competitors are flooding our markets with heavily subsidized products priced well below market value to undercut American farmers and growers.”

For instance, Michigan tart cherry growers, which produce 75 percent of the domestic crop annually, are currently experiencing record low prices due to imports of dried tart cherries that increased by one million pounds from 2016 to 2018, Rep. Huizenga wrote.

“As west Michigan’s representative, I understand how critical it is that our farmers and growers have the opportunity to be heard and to compete on a level playing field,” he wrote. “That is why I believe it is imperative for a field hearing to be held in west Michigan.”