U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) recently signed on as a cosponsor to a bipartisan bill that would protect seasonal American agricultural producers from illegal trade practices.
“When Michigan farmers have a level playing field, they can compete with anyone in the world,” Rep. Huizenga said. “Current federal law fails to provide seasonal, perishable, and specialty crop growers with adequate means to bring forward claims against illegal trade practices being used by other nations.”
Rep. Huizenga on Nov. 19 cosponsored the Defending Domestic Produce Production Act, H.R. 101, which was introduced in January by U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Al Lawson Jr. (D-FL) to amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide for the treatment of core seasonal industries affected by antidumping or countervailing duty investigations, according to the text of the bill.
“The Defending Domestic Produce Production Act will increase the ability of Michigan farmers, especially asparagus, blueberry and cherry growers, to petition the Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate illegal subsidies and dumping of fruits and vegetables in the U.S. market,” said Rep. Huizenga.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) in January sponsored the same-named S. 16 in the Senate.