Valadao, Collins propose bill to improve competitiveness of U.S.-exported specialty crops

To more effectively identify and combat certain trade barriers, U.S. Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on Nov. 14 introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would require an improved report on the competitiveness of America’s exports of specialty crops. 

“Specialty crop producers in California have faced many challenges over the last few years – from supply chain backlogs at our ports, rising input costs, labor shortages, and drought,” Rep. Valadao said on Tuesday. “Many of our California-grown specialty crops rely on customers overseas, but too often face unfair trade barriers that make it difficult to stay competitive. 

“This bill will better identify trade obstacles so that American-grown specialty crops have fair access to foreign markets,” said the congressman.

Rep. Valadao is the lead original cosponsor of the Specialty Crops Reporting on Opportunities and Promotion Act of 2023, also known as the Specialty CROP Act of 2023, H.R. 6399, along with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). Sen. Collins cosponsored the same-named S. 3300 alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) in their chamber.

“Maine is known throughout the country for its potatoes and wild blueberries,” said Sen. Collins. “By increasing reporting requirements for agricultural trade, this bipartisan bill would provide U.S. farmers with greater assurance that they are competing in a fair global market, and that their high-quality products have every opportunity to continue to reach consumers worldwide.”

If enacted, the bill would require that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the U.S. Trade Representative, submit an improved U.S. Specialty Crops Trade Issues Report to congressional committees that details the competitiveness of U.S. exports of specialty crops, according to the bill’s text.

The report would identify and analyze acts, policies, or practices of foreign countries that constitute significant barriers to, or distortions of America’s exports of specialty crops, including the imposition of tariffs and quotas, non-tariff barriers, import licensing procedures, and subsidies, the text says.

Additionally, the report would estimate the impacts on the competitiveness of U.S. exports of specialty crops of any act, policy, or practice, among other provisions.

The bill also would require a request for comment from both the public and the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables, and require the report to be made public, while allowing for a classified annex in order to protect U.S. national security and economic strategy. 

The measure is supported by the National Potato Council, the Northwest Horticultural Council, and the North American Blueberry Council.